Africas linguistic landscape faces a critical challenge with approximately 12 of its 2,000 languages at risk of disappearing. This crisis stems from colonial legacies and globalizations push toward English dominance in international commerce. UNESCOs prediction that 40 of global languages face extinction has sparked initiatives to preserve these vital cultural assets.
Enter Lingawa, formerly known as TopSet, which has secured 1.1 million in funding to address this challenge. The platform connects the African diaspora with native language tutors, focusing initially on Yoruba and Igbo. Notable investors include Voltron Capital, Zrosk, WEAV Capital, and MasterCard Foundation, alongside individual investors like Dara Treseder.
The companys journey began with Frank Williams, whose path from medical school dropout to Morgan Stanley and Harvard Business School graduate shaped his vision for African education. Williams partnered with his sister Yvonne, an experienced tutor completing her MSc in Teacher Education at Oxford, and tech veteran Uche Azinge to build the platform.
Lingawa transformed from a general tutoring service into a specialized language learning platform. The company has already reached over 3,000 learners and employs 100 native-speaking tutors. These instructors undergo rigorous training to bridge the teaching skills gap, ensuring high-quality language instruction.
The platform offers affordable lessons at 10 per hour, while tutors earn approximately ?500,000 monthly. Students access comprehensive learning resources, including flashcards, immersive games, and virtual sessions. Most learners come from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
