By KPC Reporter
The East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) will mark a decade of coordinating the promotion of Kiswahili for regional integration and sustainable development.
The 10th anniversary celebration is scheduled for February 14, 2026, at its headquarters in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
In a statement issued on February 3, the Commission said the milestone will celebrate “a decade of transformation and impact” since EAKC became operational in July 2015 as a specialized institution of the East African Community (EAC).
“The commemoration will mark a decade of transformation and impact in the execution of its mandate of coordinating the promotion of Kiswahili for regional integration and sustainable development,” the Commission said.
The anniversary will be held under the theme “A Decade of Kiswahili: Strengthening Integration, Innovation, and Sustainable Development in the EAC,” highlighting the role of the language beyond communication.
According to EAKC, Kiswahili has emerged as a strategic resource that strengthens regional belonging, supports cross-border trade, labour mobility and cultural exchange, and enables citizens to better engage with the EAC integration agenda.
“More than being a medium of communication, Kiswahili is a strategic resource that enables regional integration and contributes to innovation and sustainable development in the EAC,” the statement noted.
Over the past ten years, EAKC has recorded major milestones in positioning Kiswahili as a “soft infrastructure” for integration within the EAC.
Beyond the region, the Commission has collaborated with organizations such as the African Union (AU), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and UNESCO to advance the status and international recognition of Kiswahili.
The anniversary celebrations will also provide an opportunity to reflect on achievements, honour partner states and stakeholders, showcase lessons learned, and reimagine the future of Kiswahili—particularly in a world increasingly shaped by digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.
“Kiswahili is a development enabler that cuts across Sustainable Development Goals such as education, health, climate action and reduced inequalities,” EAKC said.
Planned activities include an anniversary address, keynote lecture, high-level discussions, documentary screenings, recognition and awards, as well as poetry and music performances.
The Commission expects the celebrations to result in renewed political and institutional commitment to Kiswahili, a clear 10-year strategic roadmap, stronger partnerships, increased global visibility of the language, and a policy brief.
As it marks the milestone, EAKC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Kiswahili “as a catalyst for unity, innovation, economic opportunity and shared identity across East Africa and the global community.”