Follow-up Interview with Christian Elongue

Grow Learn Connect: Can you share more about the impact and growth of the African Languages Translators and Teachers (ALATT) network and the Marketplace of African Translators & Interpreters (MATI)? How have these initiatives evolved since their inception?

Christian Elongue: The African Languages Translators and Teachers (ALATT) network began as a seed of frustration—there was no continental platform for African language professionals to connect. Today, ALATT has blossomed into a thriving community of over 2,680 members across 30+ African countries. Imagine 1,600 voices sharing job opportunities, debating terminology in Wolof, or mentoring young translators! One of our earliest wins was a Kenya translator landing a Swahili localization project through ALATT. MATI, our WhatsApp-based Marketplace, now hosts 470+ freelancers, with dozens hired daily for projects from app localization to UN reports. As the Ashanti proverb says, "A single hand cannot lift a heavy log." ALATT and MATI thrive because we lift each other.

GLC: Your podcast spotlights localization and language technology initiatives in Africa. What are some of the most memorable episodes or discussions you've had, and what key insights have emerged from these conversations?

CE: On the African Language Technologies and Tools podcast, I’ll never forget interviewing the team behind Masakhane—an open-source NLP community. Their work on low-resource languages, such as Kinyarwanda, showed me how AI can democratize access. Another gem was Lelapai.ai, a Ghanaian startup that builds voice recognition for the Akan language. The key insight? African innovators are bypassing Western models to create context-specific solutions. One listener in Nigeria even built a Yoruba keyboard app after hearing an episode! These stories prove as the Zulu say, "Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili"—"The path is asked of those who have walked it." 

GLC: Afrolinguals is the first magazine dedicated to Africa’s language services industry. What inspired you to launch this magazine, and what kind of content can readers expect to find?

CE: Afrolinguals was born from a simple truth: Africa’s language industry deserves its spotlight. When global magazines rarely featured African LSPs, I thought, "Why not us?" Readers can expect interviews with CEOs of firms like OB Translate, in-depth analyses of Twi localization for fintech apps, and even reviews of African language AI tools. The first issue featured language advocates who are championing the preservation and use of African languages. As the Igbo say, "Onye wetara oji, wetara ndụ"—"He who brings kola nut brings life." Afrolinguals is our kola nut to the industry.

GLC: The Next Billion Conference focuses on the business of languages in Africa. Can you tell us about the key themes and outcomes from the first edition, and what you hope to achieve with the upcoming second edition?

CE: At the 2024 Next Billion Conference, 15% of sessions were held in African languages—a radical shift from prior English-dominated events. Key themes? The $3.2B economic potential of African language services and bridging the "digital language divide."  For 2025, we aim to triple participation and partner with a Cameroonian LSP for the African Translators Awards. As the Swahili proverb goes, "Umoja ni nguvu"—"Unity is strength."

GLC: Being the only African featured on MultiLingual's list of 34 Influencers driving the language service industry is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted your work and your vision for the language services industry in Africa?

CE: Being named among MultiLingual’s Top 34 was humbling - it validated Africa’s seat at the global table. Overnight, my LinkedIn inbox flooded with partnership requests from LSPs in Egypt and investors in Rwanda. But the real win? ALCA’s membership surged by 19% post-recognition. This honor isn’t mine alone; it’s a testament to every translator in MATI grinding to localize apps or teach Zulu. The Bambara say, "Dugutèrò bèè n’i y’a fè" - "Success depends on your own hands."

GLC: You are actively working towards increasing awareness of the economic potential of the language services industry in Africa. What strategies do you believe are most effective in attracting investments and growing visibility for this sector?  

CE: To attract investors, we show, don’t tell. When Kabod co-produced the South Africa localization guide, customers increased by 21%. Another strategy? Partnering with tech giants like Google to train their machine translation models on Yoruba corpora is something we envision. With over 4,159 professionals in our network generating over $ 1 million annually, the ROI is clear. As the Akan say, "Sɛ wo werɛ fi na wosan kɔ fie a, yenya fɔ" - "If your net isn’t cast wide, you won’t catch fish."  

GLC: You are a member of several professional organisations, including ALCA, ITI, CIOL, ILA, and ATSA. How have these memberships influenced your career, and what benefits do they offer to professionals in the language services industry?

CE:  Being part of professional organizations like ALCA, ITI, CIOL, ILA, and ATSA has been a catalyst for my career growth. These networks don’t just offer prestige - they provide a fertile ground for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and collaboration. For instance, as a founding member of the Association of Language Companies in Africa (ALCA), I’ve seen firsthand how our collective voice can influence policies and highlight the importance of African language services in regional development.

When I joined the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), I gained access to cutting-edge insights, ethics frameworks, and peer-reviewed resources that enhanced my professionalism. These memberships helped me navigate projects across 25+ African countries, ensuring that I stay updated on global standards while addressing local linguistic realities.

Most importantly, these communities offer belonging. In a field as nuanced as language services, having a community that understands your challenges and celebrates your wins is invaluable.

ALCA taught me the power of collaboration. ITI and CIOL connected me to mentors who shaped Kabod’s QA processes. These memberships are like the Baobab tree - "Wisdom grows from shared roots." For young linguists, I say: Join ALCA, ALATT or MATI. Last year, some members took advantage of discounted licenses through our partnerships. 

GLC: What are some of the upcoming projects or initiatives you are excited about, and how do you see the language services industry in Africa evolving in the next few years?

CE: One project I’m genuinely excited about is the launch of the Pan-African Children’s Content App (Muna Kalati App), which celebrates African stories, voices, and languages. Our goal is to publish culturally relevant content in local African languages to boost literacy and identity in young readers.

Another initiative is ALCA’s effort to create a continental certification framework for language professionals in Africa. With over 2,000 languages spoken across the continent, standardizing qualifications is both a challenge and an opportunity. This will help formalize the industry, attract investment, and protect both clients and practitioners.

I’m pumped for the ALCA Awards, think "Oscars for language nerds"! By 2029, I envision African LSPs leading in AI localization - tools like Masakhane’s MT models will be industry staples. As the Kikuyu say, "Mbegũ ikagũrũ irĩa itheru" - "Seeds planted today become forests tomorrow."

Looking ahead, I see a language industry that is more tech-driven, more inclusive, and more economically impactful. As digitalization spreads, African startups and SMEs will need localization services to reach diverse linguistic markets, driving demand for professional translators, interpreters, and cultural consultants.

GLC: Reflecting on your journey, what have been the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your career in the language services industry?

CE: The hardest moment? Launching ALATT in 2022 with just 12 members and zero funding. But the sweetest reward? Last month, a MATI freelancer in Senegal emailed: "I bought land with my translation earnings." Another hurdle: Convincing policymakers that African languages aren’t "vernacular" but economic assets. Now, we are increasingly engaging language students to enlarge their vision of the many financial and career possibilities in the language industry, which is usually not considered a highly profitable sector. 

GLC: In your previous interview, you mentioned the milestones that shaped who you are today. Can you share more about how these milestones have influenced your approach to managing Kabod Localisation Services and your other initiatives?

CE: Founding ALATT, MATI, and ALCA taught me collaboration > and competition. When I launched Kabod, Renato Beninatto advised: "Build bridges, not silos." That’s why ALCA unites several LSPs today. Every milestone whispers the Ewe proverb: "Dzi le ade ŋu na woatsɔ aɖaŋu eje" - "Stand on the old mat to weave the new one."

GLC: You have a strong background in knowledge management. How do you integrate knowledge management practices into your work at Kabod Localisation Services? 

CE: At Kabod, we use KM like a farmer who stores seeds. Our CAT tool glossary database has 50,000+ terms in 20 languages—built from WACSI’s 4,600-CSO directory I once managed. Our podcast on African language technologies lets teams share translation and localization hacks. As the Fulani say, "Gandal wataa, gandal hakkunde"—"Knowledge is a shared journey."

GLC: As a learning futurist, how do you foresee the future of language services evolving, particularly in Africa? What trends or technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact?

CE: The future? AI won’t replace translators—it’ll amplify and complement them. Imagine AI handling 80% of Swahili UI translations while poets or linguists localize the nuance. As the Yoruba say, "Ọmọdé gbọ́n, àgbà gbọ́n, la fi dá Ifẹ̀" - "The child’s wisdom and the elder’s wisdom built the city." 

As a learning futurist, I often say that the future of language services in Africa lies at the intersection of culture, commerce, and code. Machine translation and AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT have already begun transforming our workflows. However, these tools are trained mostly on Western data, often sidelining African languages. The future depends on who trains the machines. That’s why we’re advocating for the creation of open-source African language datasets, lexicons, and voice corpora.

Gamification, mobile learning, and AI-powered localization platforms will be game changers. Imagine an AI tool that not only translates but adapts tone, idioms, and context for a rural Ghanaian market—that’s the level of relevance we need. If we harness these tools correctly, the African language services industry can create thousands of jobs, preserve linguistic heritage, and support education, healthcare, and governance.

GLC: You have completed over 127 MOOCs in various disciplines. How has this extensive eLearning experience shaped your professional journey, and what advice would you give to others looking to leverage online learning for career advancement? 

CE: Indeed, I’ve completed over 127 MOOCs, ranging from negotiation and instructional design to AI ethics and marketing. It began as a personal challenge during my early twenties, but it soon evolved into a powerful tool for shaping my interdisciplinary approach to language services and learning innovation.

These courses helped me transition from translator to entrepreneur and from educator to executive. For instance, a Coursera course on gamification directly influenced the way I design training programs for clients in Francophone Africa.

My advice? Treat online learning like a gym—consistency beats intensity. Don’t chase certificates; chase competence. Curate courses that align with your goals and implement what you learn, even in small projects. That’s how theory becomes transformation. 

GLC: You mentioned your interest in game-based solutions for lifelong learning. Can you elaborate on how you incorporate these solutions into your work and the benefits they offer?

CE: Absolutely. Gamification is a powerful way to make learning sticky and joyful—especially for adult learners in corporate settings. I’ve developed over a dozen game-based learning tools for African SMEs and NGOs, integrating local proverbs, storytelling, and competitive challenges.

One example is a multilingual board game we created for a West African entrepreneurship accelerator. It teaches financial literacy and negotiation skills in both French and local dialects. Participants loved it because it wasn’t just fun—it reflected their lived realities.

The benefits are huge: improved engagement, better retention, and stronger team dynamics. For language services, game-based tools can even be used to assess linguistic competencies or train translators in domain-specific terminology in a dynamic way.

GLC: You have multiple certifications and degrees. How do you stay motivated to continue learning and growing professionally, and what strategies do you use to balance your various commitments?

CE: These certifications keep me sharp—like a blacksmith’s hammer. My motivation comes from a sense of stewardship. I believe that every talent, skill, or credential I acquire is a tool to serve others—whether it's training young linguists or supporting MSMEs through localization.

I follow the 3D strategy: Discipline, Delegation, and Digital tools. I use tools like Microsoft To-Do and Microsoft Calendar to plan my days, delegate tasks to my exceptional team at Kabod Language Services, and allocate dedicated learning time each week. Balancing is never perfect, but by aligning my learning goals with my life mission, my motivation stays strong. I also surround myself with mentors and mentees who challenge and inspire me to keep growing.

Ngiyabonga (Thank you) for the thoughtful questions!