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Google Expands AI Search to Support Yoruba, Hausa in Nigeria

Google has expanded language support for its Artificial Intelligence-powered search features to include Yoruba and Hausa languages in Nigeria.

The company’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the update allows speakers of the two Nigerian languages to access AI-powered search experiences in their native languages, enabling quick summaries and conversational exploration.

He said the expansion is part of Google’s broader efforts to make artificial intelligence more inclusive across Africa.

Kola-Ogunlade noted that with the addition of Yoruba and Hausa, the number of African languages supported in the company’s AI Search features has increased to 13.

He explained that the update will enable more Nigerians to interact with search in familiar languages while seeking information online.

“For example, a student in Kano can ask questions in Hausa, while a trader in Ibadan can seek advice in Yoruba,” he said.

Kola-Ogunlade added that the technology is powered by a custom version of Gemini integrated into search, which improves language understanding and ensures responses are locally relevant.

He said the update also allows users to ask complex questions through text or voice in their preferred language, making online information easier to access for more Nigerians.