The Masakhane African Languages Hub, in a powerhouse collaboration with the Microsoft AI for Good Lab, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Google.org, has officially announced the launch of LINGUA Africa. This open call for proposals is a strategic move to build the linguistic foundations necessary for truly inclusive Artificial Intelligence in Africa.
The initiative invites nonprofits, universities, startups, and consortia to submit proposals by June 15, 2026.
Selected projects will gain access to a robust support ecosystem designed to scale innovation from concept to real-world application. Benefits include:
- Direct Funding: Financial grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.
- Compute Power: Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) credits (up to $400,000 for high-impact projects).
- Expert Mentorship: Technical collaboration with Microsoft AI for Good Lab and structured support from academic fellows.
Key focus areas
The initiative is structured into three distinct tracks to address the entire AI lifecycle:
| Track | Focus | Funding & Credits |
| Data Creation | Building, translating, and validating datasets. | Up to $50K cash / $50K compute |
| Model Development | Creating benchmarks and technical infra for African languages. | Up to $100K cash / $100K compute |
| Sectoral Applications | Real-world pilots in healthcare, agritech, and education. | Up to $250K cash / $400K compute |
Eligibility & priority
The call is open to organizations globally, provided they demonstrate meaningful partnerships with Africa-based institutions. Priority will be given to projects targeting:
- Agriculture & Food Security
- Healthcare & Public Health
- Financial Inclusion
- Government & Civic Services
LINGUA Africa builds on the success of LINGUA Europe, shifting the focus to the unique linguistic diversity of the African continent. This initiative is a cornerstone of Masakhane’s broader goal: to empower one billion Africans by 2029 with AI tools that respect and preserve their linguistic heritage.
Apply HERE.