In many parts of Africa, access to technology can feel out of reach. You might not have a smartphone, reliable internet, or even electricity. Perhaps you live in a rural area far from a city, or you rely on others to read or write for you. But here’s the good news: AI doesn’t always need fancy devices or constant internet. It can work in the simplest settings, helping you live more independently.

Consider Sarah, a mother with a hearing impairment in rural Malawi. She doesn’t own a smartphone, but she uses a basic feature phone to send text messages to an AI service that helps her communicate with her children’s school. With just a few texts, she gets updates about her kids’ progress in simple language. This is the power of AI in zero-resource situations—it meets you where you are.

This chapter shows how you can use AI with little or no technology, no internet, and no literacy skills. We’ll explore solutions like SMS-based AI, community helpers, and memorised prompts, all designed to fit African contexts and support PWDs.

Using AI Through SMS: Your Phone as a Gateway

Even the simplest phones can connect you to AI. Many African countries have strong mobile networks, and SMS (text messaging) is widely available, even in remote areas. Here’s how you can use SMS to access AI:

• What It Is: Some AI tools let you send a text message to a special number, and they reply with helpful information. For example, you can ask about weather, health tips, or directions.

• Example: In Kenya, the Ushahidi platform lets people send texts to report needs or get information. If you’re mobility-impaired and need to know about accessible clinics nearby, you can text a question like “Where is the nearest clinic with a ramp?” and get a reply.

• How to Start:

  1. Find an SMS-based AI service through local organisations (e.g., disability NGOs or health clinics).

  2. Save the service’s number in your phone.

  3. Send a simple question, like “What’s today’s weather?” to practice.

• Accessibility Tip: If you can’t type, ask a trusted person to send the message for you. If you can’t read, have them read the reply aloud.

WhatsApp AI Bots: Simple Solutions on 2G Networks

WhatsApp is popular across Africa, even in areas with slow 2G networks. Some organisations offer AI bots on WhatsApp that can answer questions or give advice, using very little data.

• What It Is: A WhatsApp AI bot is like a friend you text. You send a message, and the bot replies with help. For example, you can ask for tips on managing a disability or finding resources.

• Example: In Nigeria, a WhatsApp bot called HealthBot helps PWDs get health advice. A user with a cognitive disability might text, “Remind me how to take my medicine,” and the bot sends a simple schedule.

• How to Start:

  1. Save the bot’s number (check with local NGOs or community centres).

  2. Send a message like “Hello” or “Help” to start the bot.

  3. Ask clear, short questions, like “Find a wheelchair repair shop near Lagos.”

• Accessibility Tip: If you can’t see the screen, use WhatsApp’s voice message feature to ask questions. Many bots understand voice messages.

Library and Internet Café Strategies: Shared Access Points

If you don’t have a phone, you can still use AI at community access points like libraries or internet cafés, which are common in many African towns.

• What It Is: Libraries and cafés often have computers or shared smartphones with AI tools. You can use these to access apps like Google Assistant or Be My Eyes.

• Example: In Zimbabwe, a community library in Bulawayo offers a computer with a screen reader for visually impaired users. A user can ask the AI to read a document or describe a picture.

• How to Start:

  1. Visit a local library or café (ask disability organisations for locations).

  2. Ask staff to help you use an AI tool, like a voice assistant.

  3. Practice simple tasks, like asking, “What’s in this photo?” or “Read this letter.”

• Accessibility Tip: Bring a trusted friend or helper if you need assistance navigating the space or technology.

“Trusted Person” Delegation Systems: Community Support for AI

If you can’t use a phone or computer yourself, a trusted person—such as a family member, friend, or community helper—can use AI on your behalf.

• What It Is: You tell a trusted person what you need, and they use AI to find answers or complete tasks. For example, they might use an AI app to translate a letter into sign language videos for a deaf user.

• Example: In Uganda, a woman named Esther, who has a cognitive disability, asks her brother to use an AI app to create a daily routine. He types, “Make a simple schedule for taking medicine,” and the app provides a clear plan.

• How to Start:

  1. Choose someone you trust, like a family member or neighbour.

  2. Explain what you need, like “I want to know about accessible buses.”

  3. Ask them to use a phone or computer to find the answer with AI.

• Accessibility Tip: Make sure your trusted person knows to keep your information private and only shares what you’re comfortable with.

Voice-Only AI Access Methods: Speak and Listen

If you can speak but can’t read or type, voice-only AI tools are a great option. These work on basic smartphones or shared devices and don’t need internet all the time.

• What It Is: Voice assistants, like Google Assistant or offline apps, let you talk to AI and hear answers. They’re great for visually impaired or non-literate users.

• Example: In Ghana, a visually impaired teacher named Kojo uses an offline voice app to ask, “What’s today’s news?” The app reads headlines aloud, keeping him informed.

• How to Start:

  1. Get a phone with a voice assistant (many basic smartphones have this).

  2. Say, “Hey, Google” or press a voice button to start.

  3. Ask simple questions, like “Set a reminder for my meeting.”

• Accessibility Tip: Practice clear, slow speech for better results. If the phone doesn’t understand your accent, try simpler words or ask for help.

Emergency Toolkit: 10 Survival Prompts You Can Memorise

In a crisis, you might need quick help from AI, even without a phone or internet. Memorising a few simple prompts can prepare you to use AI when you get access to a device or helper. Here are 10 survival prompts you can learn by heart:

1. “Describe this place to help me move around.” (For navigation if you’re visually impaired.)

2. “Read this letter aloud slowly.” (For accessing written information.)

3. “Convert this audio to text.” (For deaf users hearing spoken messages.)

4. “Find a clinic near me with wheelchair access.” (For medical needs.)

5. “Remind me to take my medicine at 8 AM.” (For memory support.)

6. “Explain this word in simple terms.” (For learning or cognitive support.)

7. “Send a message to my emergency contact.” (For crises.)

8. “Find a bus route I can use with a wheelchair.” (For travel.)

9. “Create a picture to show [idea].” (For visual communication.)

10. “Tell me how to stay safe in a flood.” (For disaster preparedness.)

• How to Use: Memorise these like a song or story. Practice saying them aloud. When you’re near a device or helper, share the prompt exactly as you learned it.

• Accessibility Tip: If you can’t memorise, ask a trusted person to keep a written or recorded list of these prompts for you.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: Staying Safe with Low-Tech AI

Even in low-resource settings, it’s important to use AI safely:

• Privacy: Don’t share sensitive details (like your address or health conditions) unless the AI service is trusted. Ask local NGOs which services are safe.

• Data Protection: Laws like Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation protect your information. Use services that follow these rules.

• Limits of AI: AI might give wrong answers, especially in SMS or voice modes. Always double-check important information with a trusted person or professional.

• Community Trust: If using a helper, choose someone reliable who won’t misuse your information.

Conclusion: Starting Small, Winning Big

You don’t need a smartphone, internet, or literacy to use AI. From texting a simple phone to asking a friend to use an app, AI can work for you in the toughest situations. Like the African saying, “Little by little, a little becomes a lot,” these small steps can lead to big changes in your life.

As Dr. Chika Okafor, a Nigerian disability advocate, says, “AI is a tool that can reach the farthest corners of our continent, empowering those who need it most.” Start with one idea from this chapter—whether it’s texting an AI service or memorising a prompt—and see how it helps you.