Scholars, publishers and authors have petitioned the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers to fast-track the ratification of Kiswahili as the official language of the bloc to deepen regional integration.

The stakeholders, who attended the official opening of the Chama cha Wanataaluma wa Kiswahili Katika Vyuo Vikuu vya Afrika Mashariki (CHAWAKAMA), Kenya Chapter, 21st conference, hosted by Egerton University, were in consensus that Kiswahili, as a lingua franca spoken by nearly a half a billion people in the world, could enhance economic development in East Africa by facilitating trade, promoting cultural tourism and fostering a common identity, ultimately leading to increased economic opportunities and regional integration.

In East Africa alone, the language is spoken by more than 300 million people in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the only African language used at the Directorate of Global Communications at the United Nations.

Egerton University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research and Extension, Prof Bernard Aduda said with nearly 500 million people speaking Kiswahili globally, the language had a potential to serve as a common language for business and economic activities worldwide, allowing for smoother communication and collaboration among traders and businesses across borders.

Prof Aduda told the more than 200 Kiswahili professionals converged at the university that Kiswahili was one of the languages that play a pivotal role in Africa and beyond in promoting peace, unity, socio-economic development and cultural diversity.

He further said the conference themed Kiswahili na Uchumi would promote Kiswahili to enhance its function of creating awareness and fostering communication among millions of people globally.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Senior Lecturer and Consultant at the Department of Peace Security and Social Studies, Prof Eric Bor, who is Deputy Vice Chancellor of Egerton University said adoption of Kiswahili by EAC states would bolster trade, good governance, technology exchange, social integration and tourism among other things.

Out of the eight partner states, only three, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Uganda have adopted Kiswahili as an official language. The Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Republic of South Sudan are yet to adopt Kiswahili as an official language.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in its 41st General Conference, declared July 7 a Kiswahili Day. According to UNESCO, Kiswahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

The CHAWAKAMA)-Kenya Chapter 21st conference also marked its anniversary, since its establishment.

Prof Aduda indicated that as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) expands, Kiswahili would play a crucial role in business transactions and integration across borders within the region.

“Article 119 of the East African Community Treaty says partner states shall promote the development and promotion of indigenous languages especially Kiswahili, as a lingua franca for the region,” he explained.

The Deputy VC said the creative economy in the region is anchored on Kiswahili, which is driven by East African youth as they speak and compose their music and movies in Kiswahili, adding that there was need to empower the youthful generation to contribute to the development of the region.

“Speaking Kiswahili is not a weakness; its richness shows its importance. If you’re a Kiswahili speaker, be proud; not all people have the know-how and ability to speak Kiswahili,” said Prof Aduda.

The Deputy VC expressed delight that there were East African scholars teaching Kiswahili in universities across the globe including the School of Oriental and African Studies, Bayreuth in Germany, St Lawrence in USA, University of California, Osaka University in Japan with South Africa said to have recently incorporated Kiswahili in its school curriculum.

He urged the professionals attending the conference to come up with solid recommendations that will encourage ministers in charge of EAC affairs to facilitate the adoption of Kiswahili as an official language of the community.

He proposed to have laws and policies written and published in Kiswahili to help many other users and stakeholders in the country, especially those in law courts. The don also suggested that the country comes up with a Kiswahili day for the language to be used widely in the judiciary, parliament, cabinet, schools and markets noting that Kiswahili had a rich history and plays a pivotal role in the societal, cultural and economic development in the region.

While observing that Kiswahili was a language that had connected nations, communities and cultures and deepened the unity as East Africans, Prof Aduda said the use of Kiswahili globally was a testament to efforts made by stakeholders.

“In the 21st century, we are supposed to continue promoting the use of Kiswahili in all spheres of our lives. We should ensure Kiswahili is used perfectly in education, business, technology, and the arts,” he added.

 China is one of the world’s biggest economies that has recognised the importance of Kiswahili as a tool in its new diplomatic charm offensive in Africa. In August 2023, China published the official political doctrine often known as the Xi Jin Ping Thought in Kiswahili.  

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi indicated the translation was an important marker of China’s 60 year’s diplomatic relations with Kenya, and that it could help African leaders understand the historical backgrounds and cultural roots of China’s path of development.

Prof Bor indicated that by promoting teaching and learning of Kiswahili in institutions, the world paves the road to a cultural understanding, a road that leads to tourism, trade and the bridging of heart across the over 200 million speakers of the language and the rest of the world.

Prof Bor added that Kiswahili will continue to make contributions in the wake of technological advancement, calling for the establishment of Kiswahili commissions to standardise new terminologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

For instance, Tanzania translates AI as Akili Mnemba, while in Kenya the same is Akili Unde, hence the call for bodies to standardise such terminologies for effective communication.

Meanwhile, the conference has continued to be an important platform for Swahili scholars to discuss issues of language, literature, and its contribution to the economy of Kenya and the entire East African region.

Scholars including Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe (Nigeria), Mohamed Hassan Abdulaziz (Tanzania), Ali Mazrui, Okoth Okombo, Kimani Njogu, Rocha Chimerah (Kenya) among others have rooted for Kiswahili to take its rightful position in the continent.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Esther Mwangi and Alvin Kamau