Google Expands AI Search with Yorùbá, Hausa Language Support in Nigeria
Google has expanded the language capabilities of its AI-powered Search features, bringing support for Yorùbá and Hausa to users in Nigeria. The update enables millions of speakers of both languages to interact with Google’s AI Search tools in their native tongues, making it easier to access information, ask questions, and explore topics online.
In a statement, the technology company said the enhancement applies to its AI Overviews and AI Mode, two features designed to provide users with quick summaries of search results and allow conversational interactions with Google Search. With the addition of Yorùbá and Hausa, users can now receive AI-generated responses and explore information in a more natural and familiar way.
According to Google, the update allows people to ask complex questions and receive clear, summarized answers directly within Search. It also enables users to explore topics more deeply through conversational prompts, whether they are typing or using voice commands.
The company noted that the expansion is part of a broader initiative to make artificial intelligence more inclusive and accessible across Africa. With the latest update, Google’s AI Search features now support 13 African languages, reflecting the growing demand for digital tools that recognise local languages and cultural contexts.
For many Nigerians, the development means easier access to information in everyday situations. For instance, a student in Kano can now ask academic questions in Hausa and receive AI-generated summaries, while a trader in Ibadan can search for business tips or market insights in Yorùbá without needing to switch to English.
Google said addressing language barriers is essential to ensuring technology reflects the identity and cultural diversity of the communities it serves. By allowing users to interact with AI in their preferred language, the company believes more people will be able to benefit from the expanding capabilities of AI-powered Search.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, explained that building a truly global search experience goes beyond simply translating words.
“Building a truly global Search goes far beyond translation — it requires a nuanced understanding of local information,” he said. “With the advanced multimodal and reasoning capabilities of our custom version of Gemini in Search, we’ve made huge strides in language understanding, so our most advanced AI search capabilities are locally relevant and useful in each new language we support. This is about ensuring Nigerians can converse with Search in their mother tongues, making information more helpful for everyone.”
Google added that the African languages currently supported by its AI Search tools include Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, Yorùbá, and isiZulu.
The company said these languages were selected based on strong search activity across the continent and their importance to local communities. By expanding language support, Google aims to ensure that AI-driven digital experiences reach more people and help bridge the information gap across Africa.
The move highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in shaping how people access knowledge online, while also reinforcing the importance of linguistic inclusion in the development of global technology platforms.
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