What You Need to Know
The Ministry of Information in Lesotho is collaborating with the UNDP and the National University of Lesotho to develop a Sesotho word bank for AI training. This initiative aims to enhance the use of Sesotho on digital platforms, benefiting various sectors including healthcare and agriculture, while promoting cultural heritage.
Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation Mr Kanono Ramashamole, held a follow-up meeting in Maseru with a consultant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and representatives from the National University of Lesotho.
The meeting continued discussions from the Artificial intelligence Digital Academy session held on 11th February 2026, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence that can operate in the Sesotho language.
The key topic was the Sesotho word bank currently being compiled by the National University of Lesotho, which will be used to train AI systems so that Sesotho can be effectively used on social media and digital platforms.
According to Mrs Mathe Nts’ekhe the consultant from UNDP, the project is expected to benefit the people of Lesotho across multiple sectors, including social communication, health, agriculture, and everyday life.
In healthcare settings, for example, AI could serve as a bridge for patients who are not fluent in English, helping to reduce language barriers and improve access to services. Beyond its practical applications, the project is also seen as a cultural initiative that will encourage Basotho to take pride in their language, strengthening Sesotho heritage and promoting its continued use in the digital age.
The integration of artificial intelligence into local languages is crucial for ensuring inclusivity in technology. In Lesotho, the Sesotho language has faced challenges in digital representation, which this project aims to address. By creating a word bank, the initiative seeks to empower the Basotho people, fostering pride in their linguistic heritage while improving access to essential services through technology. This aligns with global trends of promoting linguistic diversity in AI development.
