ZANZIBAR: East African leaders have endorsed Kiswahili as a powerful tool for regional unity, economic development, and Africa’s global cultural presence.
The announcement came during the 10th anniversary of the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) in Zanzibar, the historic heartland of Kiswahili civilization.
The high-profile event brought together ministers, senior officials, and linguists from across the East African Community (EAC), who celebrated the Commission’s decade-long efforts to institutionalise Kiswahili in government, education, and commerce.
Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, called Kiswahili “a strategic asset for East Africa and beyond,” noting its growing international importance in business, diplomacy, and innovation.
“Kiswahili is no longer just a regional language,” Abdulla said, adding; “It is becoming a global language for communication and trade, and East Africa has a unique opportunity to use it as a bridge for international engagement.”
Dr. Abdullah Hasnu Makame, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly, agreed, calling Kiswahili “a unifying force for East Africa and a cultural ambassador for Africa worldwide.”
He highlighted the language’s role in strengthening trade, tourism, and digital connectivity.
Kiswahili’s global rise in focus as Zanzibar hosts regional language milestone
Zanzibar’s Minister for Information, Arts, Culture, and Sports, Dr. Riziki Pembe Juma, emphasized the EAKC’s role in harmonising terminology, expanding Kiswahili into science and technology, and promoting it as a global communication tool.
Beatrice Askul Moe, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, described the creation of the Commission as a bold commitment to regional unity through a shared linguistic heritage.
She urged member states to build national Kiswahili councils to coordinate its development.
BAKITA Executive Secretary Consolata Mushi noted Kiswahili’s rising global profile, with the language now officially used in education, trade, and diplomacy across Africa and the global diaspora.
Providing historical context, Bernard Lubega, former Principal Culture and Sports Officer at the EAC Secretariat, explained that Kiswahili’s institutionalisation began with the 1999 EAC Treaty, which recognised it as the Community’s lingua franca. Since then, the Commission has driven its growth, with Zanzibar as its headquarters.
As the EAKC enters its second decade, leaders emphasized that Kiswahili’s role extends far beyond cultural heritage—it is now a vital tool for regional cohesion, economic progress, and Africa’s visibility on the world stage.
