Google Expands African Language Support with Kikuyu and Somali on Search and Translate

Google has expanded its support for indigenous African languages on Google Search and Translate, introducing Kikuyu, Somali, and Oromo as the latest Kenyan languages available on these platforms. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase digital accessibility across Africa.

With the addition of 15 African languages, Google Translate now connects over 300 million more Africans to its services, supporting 94 global languages and 25 indigenous African languages. Kiswahili and Luo were already accessible on Google Translate, as these are widely spoken in Kenya, according to Google’s Kenya office, while the newly added languages help broaden local representation.

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The new languages enable users to search, browse, and even utilize Google’s recently launched voice search in their native tongues. Kikuyu is currently accessible on Google’s voice search and GBoard, allowing speakers to interact with Google using their language on Android devices.

“Google announced it is expanding Voice Search and Gboard options in Kenya by adding Kikuyu alongside Swahili, with support extending across East and Southern Africa.”

Kikuyu, Kenya’s most widely spoken indigenous language, has approximately 8.1 million speakers, while Somali is spoken by 2.8 million Kenyans and 27 million people across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Oromo, mainly spoken in Ethiopia, also has a significant presence in Kenya, particularly in the northern regions, with around half a million speakers.

Other languages now available on Google Translate include Burundi’s Rundi, Ethiopia’s Tigrinya and Amharic, Malawi’s Chichewa, and Nigeria’s Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin.

“This technology will empower over 300 million additional people across Africa to engage with the internet in their native languages,” said Alex Okosi, Google’s managing director for Africa. Matt Brittin, Google’s president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, added that this expansion aligns with Google’s commitment to enhancing technology accessibility in Africa as more people connect to the internet across the continent.