Kiswahili unites East Africa and boosts development, says Kabarebe
The Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, has said taht Kiswahili is a powerful tool for regional integration, cultural unity, and sustainable development.
He said this on Sunday, July 6, as he opened the 4th World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations in Kigali.
“Promoting the Kiswahili language within East Africa means strengthening cultural unity and facilitating cooperation in various projects and initiatives,” he said.
He continued to explain that even though Kiswahili was rooted in East Africa, it has now grown into an international language.
“It is now spoken by millions across the continent and beyond. It is the only African language officially recognized as a working language of the African Union, and it continues to be rapidly embraced by regional communities, though rooted in East Africa, Kiswahili has grown into both an African and an international language,” he added.
The two-day event has brought together over 300 participants, including senior government officials, delegates from EAC Partner States, Kiswahili experts, academics, and university students. It is being held under the theme: “Kiswahili, Inclusive Education, and Sustainable Development.”
Organized in partnership with the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC), the celebration features a high-level opening ceremony, a regional symposium, youth engagement sessions, and an exhibition.
Speaking during the event, EAC Deputy Secretary General Andrea Aguer Ariik highlighted Kiswahili’s broader impact beyond communication, describing it as a tool for promoting equity, access, and empowerment across the region.
“Kiswahili offers a practical and inclusive solution to some of our biggest challenges. As one of the most widely spoken African languages and the only one officially recognized by the African Union, it has the potential to close the gap between policy and people, between education and equity, and between tradition and innovation,” he stated.
During the breakout sessions, participants were divided into two parallel discussion groups.
One group, primarily led by young people, explored how Kiswahili—alongside artificial intelligence and inclusive education—can help foster a culture of peace within the region.
The second group focused on examining policies and practical strategies related to inclusive education and sustainable development, exchanging innovative ideas and approaches to enhance stakeholder engagement.
World Kiswahili Language Day celebrates the growing importance of Kiswahili not only as a means of communication but also as a vehicle for education, peacebuilding, and economic integration in Africa and beyond.
