On 29 September 2026, JamiiAfrica, in strategic partnership with Canadian technology company Viamo, officially launched Ask Viamo Anything (AVA), an innovative voice-based Artificial Intelligence platform designed to provide access to information without requiring an internet connection.
The launch, held at Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam (The Kilimanjaro), brought together representatives from the High Commission of Canada, JamiiAfrica and Viamo leadership, civil society, media, and development partners.
AVA responds to Tanzania’s persistent digital access gap, particularly among people in rural and peri-urban communities who may lack smartphones, reliable internet connectivity, or affordable access to mobile data. Through a simple phone call using Vodacom Tanzania, users can ask questions in Swahili and receive immediate AI-generated voice responses—without needing a smartphone, internet connection, or advanced digital skills.
The initiative reflects JamiiAfrica’s commitment to ensuring that advances in technology translate into broader and more inclusive access to reliable information. As the organization marks 20 years of engagement in Tanzania’s digital ecosystem, AVA represents an important step toward reaching communities that remain underserved by conventional digital platforms.
Speaking at the launch, H.E. Emily Burns, Ambassador of Canada to Tanzania, highlighted Canada’s support for the initiative through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). She emphasized the importance of access to trusted information in enabling citizens to make informed decisions on issues such as health, agriculture, and economic well-being, while stressing that the benefits of AI should extend beyond smartphone and urban populations.
Maxence Melo, Executive Director of JamiiAfrica, noted that AVA helps bridge the gap between smartphone users and people who rely on basic mobile phones, expanding opportunities for citizens to access essential information regardless of their level of digital connectivity.
Ziada Seukindo, Head of Programs at JamiiAfrica, outlined the organization’s broader commitment to building an informed public with access to reliable information that supports everyday decision-making, both in Tanzania and beyond.
Through AVA, JamiiAfrica and Viamo are demonstrating how emerging technologies can be adapted to local realities and used to advance digital inclusion, access to information, and citizen empowerment.
