Integrating Fulfulde Studies with Information and Communication Technologies: Opportunities for Language Documentation, Education, and Digital Inclusion in West Africa

Abstract

Fulfulde, spoken by an estimated 25-30 million people across West and Central Africa, remains underrepresented in digital spaces despite its role as a lingua franca among pastoralist and rural communities. This paper examines how the integration of Fulfulde Studies with Information and Communication Technologies can advance three interrelated goals: 1) language documentation and preservation, 2) mother-tongue and bilingual education, and 3) digital inclusion for marginalized populations in West Africa. Drawing on models from Cameroon, Nigeria, and broader sub-Saharan ICT interventions, we propose a framework called “Mdocumentation for Fulfulde” that combines corpus building, mobile learning platforms, AI- assisted transcription, and community-driven content creation. The study addresses structural barriers such as poor connectivity, low digital literacy, and limited institutional support, while highlighting opportunities in open distance learning and multilingual digital pedagogy. Findings suggest that localizing ICT in Fulfulde can reduce the digital divide, improve educational outcomes, and support cultural continuity. We conclude with policy and research recommendations for governments, universities, and tech actors to mainstream Fulfulde in West Africa’s digital ecosystem. 5574c55a08e953da173e8d9f

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