Beyond Prototypes, Lelapa AI’s Vision For African Tech Solutions

During the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan sat down with Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, and Jade Abbott, CTO, to explore their journey and contributions to African AI development. Lelapa AI has recently launched innovative tools like Vula Vula, a multilingual communication platform, and InkubaLM, a language model designed to support African languages. In October 2024, they hosted a Demo Day to showcase these advancements and their impact. In this interview, Moiloa and Abbott discuss their approach to responsible AI, the challenges of developing technology in African contexts, and their vision for the future.

While Lelapa AI’s efforts highlight the importance of addressing Africa’s unique challenges, the broader question remains: Can these innovations move beyond prototypes to achieve lasting impact? Watch the interviews below for deeper insights into the journey and what lies ahead.

Lelapa AI’s work is part of a growing narrative about Africa’s role in technology, but it also raises a critical issue whether local solutions will scale effectively or remain experiments in a rapidly changing landscape.