Fresh calls have gone out for stronger institutional backing and cross-sector investment in African languages as the African Academy of Languages prepares to mark its 20th anniversary, with advocates warning that linguistic exclusion continues to limit development outcomes across the continent.
The renewed push formed the highlight of deliberations at the 2026 Africa Languages Week held at the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra.
The two-day gathering, which brought together policymakers, scholars, media leaders, and development actors, focused on positioning indigenous languages as strategic tools for governance, economic expansion, and social inclusion.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Iloabanafor, called on governments, corporate organisations, and civil society groups to intensify collaboration with ACALAN ahead of its anniversary programme scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026.
He emphasised that Africa’s more than 600 million indigenous language speakers represent a vast but underutilised demographic whose inclusion could unlock significant economic and developmental gains.
The 2026 Africa Languages Week was held under the theme, “Sustainable Waters, Shared Voices: African Languages as the Conduit for Water and Safe Sanitation for the Africa We Want,” highlighting the role of language in advancing public health communication and environmental sustainability.
Participants also witnessed the unveiling of ACALAN’s new logo and engaged in high-level strategic sessions chaired by Prof. Dr. Vicensia Shule, Acting Executive Secretary of the academy. Prof. Shule urged stakeholders to convert two decades of linguistic research into tangible impact, including initiatives to honour lifetime contributors to indigenous language development.
She further called on families and educational institutions to strengthen intergenerational language transmission, stressing that cultural identity and governance effectiveness are closely tied to linguistic preservation.
According to her, the 20th anniversary activities will align with continental frameworks aimed at improving quality of life, protecting linguistic rights, and deepening policy implementation across member states.
Technical sessions explored innovative approaches to language development, including artificial intelligence applications for African languages and the use of animation for early childhood learning.
Discussions also examined the development of standardised vocabularies for sectors such as health, water management, and public administration to enhance policy communication.
Contributors at the event linked indigenous language promotion to the broader aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063, underscoring the need for adaptive governance structures to keep African languages relevant in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
As preparations gather momentum for the year-long anniversary programme slated for September 2026 to 2027, stakeholders reiterated that reclaiming and strengthening Africa’s linguistic heritage remains central to achieving inclusive development and sustainable continental progress.
Reporting By Niran Odufayo