Kukubela is an Angolan startup founded in 2023 by António Nicolau, focused on teaching African languages. Since its launch, it has attracted approximately 35,000 users across Angola and the diaspora. The app, available on Android and iOS, currently focuses on Angolan languages: Kimbundu, Kikongo, Lingala, Umbundu, and Tchokwe.
According to the website Disrupt Africa, the startup offers structured courses designed for mobile devices, featuring audio content, interactive exercises, an integrated dictionary, community features, and access to native-speaking teachers.
According to the founder, the platform’s mission is to make African languages accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, especially Africans and members of the diaspora seeking to reconnect with their linguistic and cultural roots.
The idea arose from the founder’s personal frustration. “There was no serious, technology-based platform for learning Angola’s national languages. We currently have over 35,000 registered users spread across Angola, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and France. We have approximately 220 active paying subscribers in Angola and the diaspora, in addition to a small number of users on a trial basis,” Nicolau said.
The founder also pointed out that African languages remain underrepresented in the global edtech sector. “In fact, African languages continue to be largely neglected in global edtech, while platforms like Duolingo cover dozens of languages. Languages such as Kimbundu, Kikongo, or Lingala are not included,” he stated, adding that existing alternatives are fragmented and poorly structured.
Furthermore, Kukubela is committed to a deeper, culturally rooted learning model, especially for Central African languages, a segment that remains largely unexplored. The business model is subscription-based and also includes the sale of educational e-books. The startup is expanding and preparing to broaden its language offerings, including Yoruba, Ibinda, and Swahili.
As part of its growth plan, the company aims to scale through partnerships with content creators, expand into the North American market, and collaborate with educational institutions and cultural centers. “We are also developing B2B partnerships with schools, universities, and cultural institutions to expand our English-language offerings across all courses and prepare for the launch of Kukubela Kids, which is focused on children ages 4 to 12 in diaspora families.”
