Reviving Hausa Ajami: Open-Source Keyboard, Learning App & Translator

Greetings, Naijaworlders. We’ve started building open-source tools for the Hausa Ajami script. These include an Android keyboard, a learning app, and a translator. Hausa Ajami is the Arabic-derived script used since the 17th century across northern Nigeria and the Sahel. Most speakers today can’t read it because it’s no longer taught in schools. The keyboard lets you type all Hausa Ajami characters offline in any Android app. The learning app teaches 32 letters and common words through flashcards, quizzes, and tracing. The translator converts between English, Latin Hausa, and Ajami script, and supports audio recording for community contributions. If you read Ajami, spot mapping errors, or can record clear pronunciations, please test these tools and share feedback. Developers and educators interested in expanding the dictionary, porting to other languages, or exploring literacy materials for Quranic school children are very welcome.

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