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DAR ES SALAAM: IN an increasingly interconnected world, languages often serve as bridges, linking diverse cultures, peoples and regions.
Among the many languages that have transcended borders, Kiswahili stands out as a powerful force for unity and progress. The just ended 2024 saw Kiswahili stretching wings to various countries across the world, which is a sign of more success in the 2025.
Its journey from a local lingua franca to a global language is a testament to its rich history, the vision of its founding fathers and the enduring role it plays in fostering communication, development and cooperation across continents.
Tanzania, the birthplace of Kiswahili, celebrated a significant milestone on July 7th, 2024, by marking the third World Kiswahili Language Day.
This day, which was officially designated by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), not only honours the cultural and historical significance of the language but also highlights its role as a unifying force in Tanzania and beyond.
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In November 8th, 2024, Cuba organised the first International Kiswahili Conference in Havana.
The conference of its kind on Tanzania’s lingua franca drew 600 participants from various countries in the world.
Participants came from private institutions, universities and Kiswahili associations.
The four-day event witnessed the holding of a series of seminars including the launch of the Kiswahili-Spanish dictionary prepared by the University of Dar es Salaam.
Kiswahili has become more than just a tool of communication, it is a symbol of Tanzania’s independence, unity and determination to create a cohesive, inclusive society.
The establishment of World Kiswahili Language Day is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that the language remains relevant in the face of global competition.
In her brief speech to the nation, while celebrating the World Kiswahili Language Day, under the theme “Kiswahili, Education and Culture of Peace,” President Samia Suluhu Hassan was delighted that Kiswahili continues to grow by leaps and bounds, urging other countries’ leaders to use the language in promoting unity as well as building peace and solidarity in the world.
Dr Samia also said that Kiswahili should be used to teach children and youths good morals and promote business between the countries.
“Kiswahili provides an opportunity to achieve the development goals of our country, Africa and the world in general,” Dr Samia said.
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Former Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Damas Ndumbaro directed the National Kiswahili Council, BAKITA and Zanzibar Kiswahili Council (BAKIZA) to start promoting the language in the country through various publications.
Dr Ndumbaro said that the development of Kiswahili includes making translation of publications to other languages in the world and teaching Kiswahili to foreigners, where currently there are 46 centres.”
He said the government in collaboration with various embassies and diaspora has a strategy to open 100 centres in the world.
“BAKITA and BAKIZA should continue to develop a database of Kiswahili experts, coordinate and complete a fluent Kiswahili dictionary that will reflect Tanzania history,” he said.
Dr Ndumbaro said the success of Kiswahili language includes acceptance in the East African Community (EAC), the Great Lakes Countries Conferences, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU), including being the third most spoken language in the world but the seventh largest language in the world.
While Kiswahili’s roots are firmly planted in Africa, its influence is now felt across the globe.
The language has spread far beyond the continent, with millions of speakers in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. It is now taught in over 100 universities and schools in the United States alone and it is gaining traction in other parts of the world, from Canada to South America and even in parts of Asia.
The global spread of Kiswahili can be attributed to a variety of factors. As Africa’s most widely spoken language, it has become an essential tool for communication and commerce in an increasingly globalised world.
As countries in Africa continue to integrate economically through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kiswahili plays a central role in facilitating cross-border trade, investment and economic cooperation. Its use in business transactions, legal agreements and government policy documents helps to create a more unified and efficient marketplace across the continent.
The language also plays a critical role in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a language of education, Kiswahili helps to ensure that more people across Africa have access to quality education, particularly in remote and rural areas.
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The government, under the leadership of President Samia has continued to prioritise the promotion of Kiswahili, both within the country and internationally.
From its humble beginnings as a regional trade language to its current status as one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Kiswahili has undergone an extraordinary transformation.
Through continued investment in language education and infrastructure, Kiswahili will remain a vital tool for global cooperation, connecting people, nations and regions in ways that will shape the future for generations to come.
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