The third International Kiswahili Conference has opened in Burundi, marking the start of discussions on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to advance the Kiswahili language across East Africa and beyond.
The two-day conference, which precedes World Kiswahili Language Day commemorations, officially opened on Sunday, 5th July 2026, in Bujumbura.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the East African Community Kiswahili Commission (KAKAMA), Dr Caroline Asiimwe, said the conference had formally launched efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into the development and promotion of Kiswahili.
Dr Asiimwe urged media organisations producing Kiswahili content to adopt editorial policies that include programmes dedicated to promoting and developing the language across East African Community member states.
She said KAKAMA has continued to champion opportunities for the growth of Kiswahili and called for greater investment in the language, stressing that its future depends on collective commitment rather than expecting support from external investors.
Dr Asiimwe further revealed that the commission is exploring partnerships with Kiswahili stakeholders to establish training courses for journalists who lack proficiency in the language.
Officially opening the conference, Burundi’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Lydia Nsekera, called on East African Community citizens to accord Kiswahili the recognition it deserves as a vital language of regional unity.
She noted that while Kiswahili speakers were once unfairly stereotyped as unruly, attitudes have changed significantly, with those seeking to learn the language today increasingly regarded as educated and progressive.
The integration of AI into Kiswahili development is a timely topic, given the rapid advancement of language technologies worldwide. AI-powered translation tools, chatbots, and content creation platforms have the potential to make Kiswahili more accessible to millions of speakers across the region and beyond.
However, the success of such efforts will depend on investment in language data, research, and the development of AI models that accurately capture the nuances of Kiswahili. The conference is expected to produce recommendations on how to move forward.
Kiswahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa, with an estimated 200 million speakers across East Africa and beyond. It is an official language of the East African Community and has been recognised by the African Union as a continental language.
The EAC Kiswahili Commission was established to promote the development and use of Kiswahili within the region. Its efforts have gained momentum in recent years, with the language increasingly being used in business, education, and media.
The conference in Bujumbura is expected to continue until Monday, with delegates working on recommendations for the integration of AI and the promotion of Kiswahili across the region.
