"Piracy is more of a cultural issue than a language interface issue or a Microsoft issue -- cultural respect to intellectual property is important," added Matunga.

The availability is likely to lead to greater penetration but even deeper depths of piracy because the software pirates are likely to market their products more vigorously because of the language interfaces. Currently, there are few African countries that recognize intellectual property and recognize software piracy as a crime.

While the translations may not help Microsoft fight piracy, they will increase the presence of African language content online and drive more people to articulate issues in the languages they know best. Currently, African language accents, letters and editing functions are missing in most products, making it hard for people to use their languages online.

"The localization will most certainly increase content from Africa by allowing expression in local languages, it will help with the survival and continued relevant of African languages amidst globalization," added IDC's Hook.

For instance, in Tanzania where Kiswahili is one of the main official languages, having MS Office in Kiswahili is a big boost, while other countries like Ethiopia have unique needs given their Amharic language (and unique keyboards and software coding,), and such localization can only help further adoption in such countries, said Hook.