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EducationMali

Putting local languages back into Mali's classrooms

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December 11, 2025

Bambara is the most widely spoken language in Mali, but in schools, only French is taught. A start-up is trying to change that so pupils will not only be able to speak, but to read and write in their mother tongue, too.

For the first time, students in Mali's capital Bamako are learning to read and write in their mother tongue, Bambara. While French dominates classrooms in Mali, many believe local languages should be prioritized. RobotsMali is producing more than 100 illustrated stories in Bambara, using AI to write, translate and design content. The project aims to fight illiteracy and give Mali’s cultural heritage a stronger place in education.

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