Somalia Adopts Swahili to Deepen Ties with East African Community

Somalia is set to enhance the teaching and promotion of the Swahili language in its schools and universities, according to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The announcement was made during an East African Community (EAC) summit, highlighting the country’s plans to teach Swahili alongside its official languages—Somali and Arabic—as well as English. This initiative underscores Somalia’s deepening integration with the EAC, a regional bloc of eight member states that officially uses Swahili to facilitate regional communication and cooperation. The move signals Somalia’s intention to strengthen its ties with the broader East African region.

President Mohamud emphasized the historical context of Somalia’s multilingual identity, noting that the country has adopted multiple languages over time to reflect changing political and cultural affiliations. Somalia embraced Arabic in 1974 upon joining the Arab League and has long incorporated English into its educational system, particularly at higher education levels. With its recent membership in the EAC, the country now aims to officially introduce Swahili, a widely spoken language across East Africa. “Somalia wears many different hats,” Mohamud remarked, explaining that multilingualism has always been a part of the country’s national identity.

The president highlighted the role of higher education institutions, especially the Somali National University, in developing Swahili proficiency among students. He stressed that promoting Swahili is crucial for Somalia’s regional integration, as it is the lingua franca of East Africa and will facilitate communication, trade, and cultural exchange across the EAC member states. The country joined the EAC in early 2024, joining a bloc with a population of approximately 300 million people, stretching from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kenya. This membership provides Somalia with opportunities to engage more actively in regional trade, education, and movement of people.

Swahili is one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages, with roughly 200 million speakers globally. Many Somalis living in Kenya and Tanzania already speak the language fluently, but its official recognition in Somalia marks a significant first step toward integrating it into national education and administrative frameworks. The move reflects Somalia’s efforts to align with regional norms and enhance its citizens’ ability to communicate effectively across borders.

Historically, Somalia’s colonial past influenced its linguistic landscape. As a former British and Italian colony, Somalia retained traces of both colonial languages throughout the 20th century. Italian gradually declined in prominence as Arabic became more dominant due to migration and Somalia’s membership in the Arab League. English, meanwhile, has remained an important language, particularly for higher education and professional opportunities both domestically and abroad.

Somalia’s information minister, Daud Aweis, highlighted that Swahili is not entirely new to the country, noting that Radio Mogadishu has previously featured a Swahili section, and many Somalis already speak the language fluently. Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir added that the government envisions Swahili becoming a language of communication, trade, and learning, potentially even replacing English in future national conferences.

By officially adopting Swahili, Somalia aims to strengthen regional cooperation, improve educational outcomes, and enhance cultural and economic ties within the East African Community. This initiative reflects a broader vision of multilingualism and regional integration, positioning Somalia as a more active participant in East African affairs.