The appeal comes as Kiswahili continues to gain international prominence far beyond East Africa, driven by growing global interest in African markets, culture and diplomacy, as well as the expansion of AI-powered communication technologies.

The debate emerged ahead of the second International Kiswahili Language Conference scheduled for July 4–7 in Paris, where scholars, artists, diplomats and language specialists are expected to discuss the future of Kiswahili in technology, education, trade and global cultural exchange.

Speaking during discussions in Bagamoyo, the Vice-Chairperson of the Kiswahili Grammar Association of Tanzania (CHASAKITA), Tumaini Nginila, said the language must evolve from being viewed solely as a cultural and communication tool into a strategic economic resource within the global digital economy.

He warned that unless Kiswahili is incorporated into AI systems, digital learning platforms, translation software and emerging technologies, Tanzania and other Kiswahili-speaking countries could miss out on new opportunities linked to the global knowledge economy.

“The challenge is not only the availability of opportunities, but also the ability to access and develop them in a rapidly changing science and technology environment,” he said.

The push reflects wider international debates over linguistic inclusion in AI development, as most advanced digital systems remain dominated by English, Mandarin and a handful of other major world languages, while many African languages remain underrepresented online and in machine-learning datasets.

Kiswahili, spoken by more than 200 million people across East, Central and Southern Africa, has increasingly attracted international interest from universities, diplomatic institutions, multinational organisations and diaspora communities seeking stronger engagement with Africa.

The Director of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Edna Lyatuu, said demand for Kiswahili instruction is growing steadily among diplomats, researchers, NGO workers and African families abroad eager to maintain cultural ties and improve engagement with East Africa’s expanding economies.

She said foreign affairs officials in different countries are increasingly seeking Kiswahili training to strengthen communication and diplomatic engagement within the region.

“At the same time, many African families living abroad want their children to learn Kiswahili in order to strengthen their connection with East Africa and preserve their cultural heritage,” she said.

Analysts say the growing international demand could create economic opportunities for Tanzania through digital education services, AI language tools, translation technologies, entertainment exports and cultural industries if the country invests strategically in language innovation.

The Commissioner and Coordinator of the African Kiswahili Commission, Aldin Mutembei, said many Tanzanians are still failing to fully capitalise on Kiswahili’s global rise because of limited investment in language proficiency and commercial application.

“If we do not become proficient in our own language and recognise that Kiswahili can create economic value, then we will fail to utilise the many opportunities available,” he said.

The growing influence of African music, film and digital content has also contributed to the internationalisation of Kiswahili. Streaming platforms and social media have exposed global audiences to Kiswahili-language entertainment, increasing interest in learning the language.

The Principal of the Bagamoyo Institute of Arts and Culture (TaSUBa), Herbert Makoye, said Tanzanian music, theatre and artistic productions have become important cultural gateways introducing Kiswahili to international audiences.

“When music produced in Tanzania spreads internationally in Kiswahili, people hear the language, become interested in it and begin learning it,” he said.

Dr Makoye said artists attending the Paris conference are expected to promote Tanzania’s language, traditions, cuisine and artistic identity globally, reflecting broader efforts by African countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy and expand their influence in the global creative economy.

Notes to Editors

– The story sits at the intersection of technology, language policy and economic development—not merely culture.

– Kiswahili is increasingly being positioned as a strategic digital language with commercial value in AI, edtech and content industries.

– The issue reflects a broader global debate about “low-resource languages” being underrepresented in machine-learning systems.

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