Rwanda to host 2025 World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations in Kigali
The two-day celebrations in Kigali will highlight Kiswahili’s growing role in regional integration, education, diplomacy, and economic development.
Rwanda is set to host this year’s World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations on July 6–7, marking the fourth global observance of the language’s cultural and regional importance.
The event, officially recognised by UNESCO, will take place under the theme “Kiswahili, Inclusive Education and Sustainable Development.”
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The two-day celebrations in Kigali will highlight Kiswahili’s growing role in regional integration, education, diplomacy, and economic development.
A joint statement by the East African Community and the Government of Rwanda on Tuesday said the event will reaffirm the importance of Kiswahili in shaping unity, identity, and transformation across Africa.
“This year’s celebration aims to reaffirm Kiswahili’s pivotal role in fostering regional integration, cultural identity, and socio-economic development across the continent,” the statement said.
The celebrations will include vibrant cultural showcases such as music, poetry, and art in Kiswahili, as well as academic dialogues and panel discussions focused on the language’s role in education, technology, and media.
The East African Kiswahili Commission, headquartered in Zanzibar, is at the forefront of promoting Kiswahili across the region. Established under Article 137 (2) of the EAC Treaty, the commission supports the language’s growth through coordinated research, curriculum development, policy guidance, and terminology standardisation.
“The Commission achieves this through coordinated research, curriculum development, terminology standardisation, and policy guidance, elevating Kiswahili in all spheres of public and private life,” the statement noted.
Beyond its educational use, Kiswahili has become a critical tool for strengthening political relations and promoting cross-border communication among East African Community partner states. The language also plays a growing role in trade and diplomacy.
“It is also vital for effective diplomacy, enabling clearer communication and building stronger political relationships.
Economically, emphasising Kiswahili in business transactions across the African Free Trade Area enhances trade efficiency and opportunities, boosting economic growth and creating job opportunities across various sectors,” the statement added.
The celebrations will bring together diverse stakeholders to honour Kiswahili’s place as a language of daily life and intercultural exchange, rooted deeply in Africa’s identity and history.
Kiswahili, spoken by more than 200 million people mainly in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, is also a working language of the African Union and the East African Community.
Rwanda’s decision in 2023 to officially adopt Kiswahili as one of its national languages — alongside Kinyarwanda, French, and English — further underscored the country’s commitment to regional integration. The move also aligned with Rwanda’s obligations as a member of the East African Community, which recognises Kiswahili as one of its official languages.
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