DODOMA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania plans to open 100 centers around the world to teach the Kiswahili language, an official said on Thursday.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Sports Damas Ndumbaro made the remarks while presenting the ministry's budget proposals for the 2024/2025 financial year to the parliament in the national capital of Dodoma.
He said the government will open the centers in cooperation with Tanzanians in the diaspora.
He said Kiswahili, spoken by more than 500 million people worldwide, has created several jobs for various professionals, including teachers, interpreters, journalists and authors, stressing that Kiswahili has been adopted as one of the official languages of several regional organizations, including the African Union.
In November 2021, the 41st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed July 7 of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, making it the first African language to be recognized in such a manner by the UN.
UNESCO member states recognized the critical role of Kiswahili in promoting cultural diversity, raising awareness and fostering dialogue among civilizations.
