Africell Angola has taken a bold step into the artificial intelligence era by launching AfriGPT, the country’s first AI-powered service accessible through SMS and USSD. The move marks a significant milestone not only for Angola’s telecom industry but also for Africa’s broader digital transformation, where accessibility and inclusivity remain central to innovation.
Unlike most AI tools that require smartphones, internet access, or advanced apps, AfriGPT is designed with the realities of the Angolan market in mind. By making the service available via basic mobile technologies like SMS and USSD, Africell is ensuring that millions of users — including those in rural areas with limited connectivity — can tap into the power of AI. This approach breaks down barriers to technology and brings AI-driven insights and assistance to people who might otherwise be left out of the digital revolution.
AfriGPT will allow users to ask questions, access information, and receive AI-generated responses in real-time, much like global platforms such as ChatGPT. However, what makes it particularly relevant is its focus on local accessibility. With mobile penetration rates in Angola still growing and internet adoption uneven, the ability to use AI on even the most basic phones could be a game-changer for education, small business support, and daily problem-solving.
This launch also speaks to Africell’s strategy of positioning itself not just as a telecom provider but as a digital innovator. In many parts of Africa, the phone network remains the most powerful infrastructure for reaching people, and by embedding AI within it, Africell is showing how local adaptation of global technologies can drive meaningful impact.
Of course, questions remain about scalability, language support, and affordability. Ensuring that AfriGPT can process queries in Portuguese — Angola’s official language — as well as local languages will be critical for widespread adoption. Pricing will also determine how accessible the service truly becomes for lower-income users. Yet the very fact that such an offering exists is a testament to Africa’s growing role in shaping the future of AI adoption.
By launching AfriGPT, Africell Angola isn’t just providing a new service — it’s redefining how AI can be democratized. At a time when much of the global conversation around AI centers on advanced markets, Angola is proving that innovation can be inclusive, locally relevant, and transformative in ways the world is only beginning to recognize.
