World Kiswahili Language Day is an international observance celebrated annually on July 7. The day is organized to recognize the role of the Kiswahili language in Africa and globally, to highlight its cultural, historical, and social significance, and to promote multilingualism.

History and Recognition

Kiswahili is a Bantu-origin language spoken by approximately 200 million people and includes numerous dialects. Historically, the language developed through interactions between Bantu communities along the East African coast and Arab and Persian traders. For instance, the English word “safari” means “journey” in Kiswahili and derives from the Arabic verb safara. These interactions positioned Kiswahili at the intersection of diverse cultures and languages.

Kiswahili has been officially recognized by the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). At the 39th SADC Summit held in Dar es Salaam in 2019, Kiswahili was adopted as the fourth official working language of SADC, acknowledging its role in peacebuilding and independence movements across Africa.

Historically, Kiswahili has also been used in independence struggles. On July 7, 1954, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, adopted Kiswahili as a unifying language for the independence movement. Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, also used the slogan “Harambee” to bring the people together in social solidarity and the struggle for independence. On July 7, 2000, the re-established East African Community was founded to strengthen integration among Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, later joined by Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

The UNESCO General Conference recognized the global role of Kiswahili with Resolution 41 C/61 in 2021;^【1】  the United Nations General Assembly subsequently designated July 7 as World Kiswahili Language Day with Resolution 78/312 on July 1, 2024. This decision highlights the language’s contribution to peace, cultural diversity, social cohesion, and sustainable development.^【2】 

Purpose

World Kiswahili Language Day aims to promote the social, cultural, and educational impacts of Kiswahili in Africa. Beyond being a communication tool, the language is considered a key medium for conveying African identity, culture, and values. Kiswahili is used in education, diplomacy, media, and cultural events, supporting regional integration and multilingualism. It also serves as a tool for cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.

Global and Regional Role of the Language

As one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, Kiswahili functions as a lingua franca in many countries. In addition to being spoken in East, Central, and Southern Africa, as well as parts of the Middle East, Kiswahili is taught at various universities and higher education institutions worldwide. As an official language of the African Union, SADC, and EAC, Kiswahili plays a significant role in regional integration, economic cooperation, and initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).

In the 1950s, the United Nations established a Kiswahili language unit within the UN Radio, and today Kiswahili remains the only African language under the UN’s Global Communications Directorate.

Kiswahili’s contribution to multilingualism is vital for international understanding, tolerance, and intercultural dialogue. The UN General Assembly, in Resolution 71/328 of September 11, 2017, emphasized the importance of multilingualism and encouraged organizations like UNESCO to support awareness-raising initiatives for languages spoken worldwide, in addition to official languages.

Cultural and Social Role

Historically, Kiswahili has been regarded as a medium for cultural expression and the transmission of identity and values. It is considered a carrier of social and cultural identity in Africa, facilitating communication among communities and supporting cultural diversity.

World Kiswahili Language Day emphasizes the language’s contributions to music, literature, and historical heritage, as well as its role in education, cultural understanding, and social cohesion. Additionally, UNESCO’s 2024 Futures of Education report in Kiswahili and the English-Kiswahili artificial intelligence dictionary project aim to enhance the use of the language in education and technology.

Celebration Activities

World Kiswahili Language Day is celebrated through various events at UNESCO headquarters and the permanent delegations of East African member states. Activities include panel discussions, opening speeches, cultural performances, and receptions. In 2025, celebrations were conducted under the theme “Kiswahili: A Bridge for Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue,” highlighting the language’s unifying role and its function in cultural diplomacy.

Events focus on Kiswahili’s music, literature, and history while emphasizing its contributions to education, cultural understanding, and social cohesion. Through these roles, Kiswahili is recognized as a tool supporting both continental and global communication and intercultural interaction.