Scholars, publishers, and authors have petitioned the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers to expedite the ratification of Kiswahili as the official language of the regional bloc. The move aims to strengthen regional integration and economic growth across East Africa.
During the 21st conference of Chama cha Wanataaluma wa Kiswahili Katika Vyuo Vikuu vya Afrika Mashariki (CHAWAKAMA)–Kenya Chapter, hosted at Egerton University, stakeholders unanimously agreed on the significance of Kiswahili as a lingua franca. They emphasized that recognizing Kiswahili as an official EAC language would facilitate trade, cultural tourism, and a shared identity, ultimately boosting economic opportunities and unity across member states.
Kiswahili is spoken by over 150 million people across East Africa, including in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is also the only African language recognized by the United Nations’ Directorate of Global Communications. Egerton University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Extension, Prof. Bernard Aduda, highlighted that with over 230 million speakers worldwide, Kiswahili has the potential to become a global language for business and economic activities, ensuring smoother communication among traders across borders.
Addressing more than 200 Kiswahili professionals, Prof. Aduda stressed Kiswahili’s crucial role in promoting peace, unity, socio-economic development, and cultural diversity in Africa and beyond. He reiterated that the conference, themed Kiswahili na Uchumi, sought to advance the language’s role in economic awareness and global dialogue.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Senior Lecturer Prof. Eric Bor from the Department of Peace, Security, and Social Studies, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor stated that adopting Kiswahili within EAC member states would enhance trade, governance, technology exchange, social integration, and tourism. Currently, only Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have officially adopted Kiswahili, while Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Sudan have yet to follow suit.
The global importance of Kiswahili was further underscored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which declared July 7th as Kiswahili Day during its 41st General Conference. UNESCO recognizes Kiswahili as one of the most widely spoken languages globally, reinforcing its status as a key tool for international communication.
The CHAWAKAMA-Kenya Chapter conference also marked the organization’s anniversary. Prof. Aduda highlighted that Kiswahili would play a crucial role in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), simplifying cross-border business transactions and integration. He pointed out that Article 119 of the EAC Treaty obligates member states to promote Kiswahili as the regional lingua franca.
Furthermore, Prof. Aduda acknowledged the role of Kiswahili in the creative economy, driven by East African youth who express themselves through Kiswahili music and films. He urged efforts to empower the younger generation, enabling them to contribute to the region’s development through the language.
“Speaking Kiswahili is not a weakness; its richness showcases its importance. If you are a Kiswahili speaker, be proud; not everyone has the ability to communicate in Kiswahili,” he remarked.
Prof. Aduda also celebrated the growing global presence of Kiswahili, noting that East African scholars are teaching the language in prestigious institutions such as the School of Oriental and African Studies in the UK, Bayreuth University in Germany, St. Lawrence University in the USA, the University of California, and Osaka University in Japan. Additionally, South Africa recently incorporated Kiswahili into its school curriculum, further expanding the language’s reach and significance.
The push for Kiswahili’s official recognition within the EAC aligns with broader efforts to enhance linguistic and cultural unity across Africa, ensuring that Kiswahili remains a vital tool for regional integration and global communication.
