The history of Tanzania’s struggle for independence, the formation of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and the country’s role in supporting Africa’s liberation movements will be highlighted at the upcoming Kiswahili Exhibition and the Second International Kiswahili Conference in Paris, France.
The events will take place at the UNESCO Headquarters grounds from July 4 to July 7, 2026, bringing together participants from different countries.
The exhibition aims to promote Kiswahili globally and showcase its importance in strengthening unity, cultural identity, peace, and international cooperation.
According to the organisers, a special section of the exhibition will present Tanzania’s independence journey, the formation of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and the country’s contribution to liberation struggles across Africa during the colonial era.
The Board of Accreditation of Journalists (JAB), a government institution under the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, will also participate in the international conference for the first time.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on June 11, 2026, the Acting Director General of JAB, Advocate Patrick Kipangula, said the participation will help the institution gain international experience, build partnerships with global media and language stakeholders, and strengthen Tanzania’s role in promoting Kiswahili.
He added that the platform will also provide an opportunity to showcase Tanzania’s contribution to African unity and development through diplomacy and communication.
The exhibition is expected to feature visual displays and historical materials showing Tanzania’s role in supporting African liberation movements and promoting solidarity among African nations.
Messages and quotations from national leaders, including the Father of the Nation Julius Nyerere and the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, will be displayed on large screens to promote values of leadership, unity, peace, and development.
The event will also highlight the growing global influence of Kiswahili as a language of communication, diplomacy, and cultural identity across Africa and beyond.
The Second International Kiswahili Conference is organised by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with UNESCO.
The conference is held under the theme “Kiswahili for Peace, Unity and Global Economic Diplomacy,” and forms part of the celebrations of World Kiswahili Day.
The Paris exhibition is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s international visibility while promoting Kiswahili as a global language of unity, history, and development.
