In a significant stride for digital inclusion, Nigerian engineer and entrepreneur Dr Omolabake Adenle is gaining international recognition for her work in creating accessible technology for African languages.
As the founder and CEO of AJA.IA Studios, she leads the development of digital tools aimed at preserving and promoting linguistic diversity on the continent.
Her flagship creation, the SpeakYoruba App, is an interactive platform designed to teach the Yoruba language, which is spoken by over 45 million people.
The app’s innovation and social impact have earned prestigious accolades, including a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) award from Women in Voice in 2021. It was also previously shortlisted for the African Innovation Foundation’s Innovation Prize for Africa in 2017.
Dr Adenle, who holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, combines technical expertise with a passion for cultural preservation. Her work at AJA.LA Studios demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to protect intangible heritage, offering a modern solution to the threat of language marginalisation in the digital age.
She represents a growing wave of innovators ensuring African voices are heard and sustained in the global tech landscape.
