Tanzania is doubling down on its efforts to spread the beauty of Kiswahili, this time in Malawi! The Tanzanian High Commissioner to Malawi, Agnes Richard Kayola, recently paid a visit to the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS). Her mission? To explore how MUBAS can introduce Kiswahili studies, thanks to a partnership with Tanzania's Mzumbe University.
During her visit, Ambassador Kayola sat down with key figures at MUBAS, including Dr. Kizito Kanyoma, the Dean of the School of Education, Communication and Media Studies, and Dr. Flemmings Ngwira, the Head of the Department of Languages and Communication. She also met with Dr. Maria Kanigi, a lecturer from Mzumbe University who is currently sharing her Swahili expertise at the University of Malawi as a part-time lecturer.
The goal is clear: to make Kiswahili a prominent language of study in Malawi. MUBAS and Mzumbe University have agreed to formalize their collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Once the details are finalized, both institutions will sign the agreement, solidifying their commitment to this exciting project.
But here's where it gets interesting... Mzumbe University already has a four-year agreement with the University of Malawi (UNIMA) to offer Swahili as an international language. This agreement kicked off in September 2025, and the first semester of Kiswahili instruction has already been completed.
This initiative is a key part of Tanzania's Economic Diplomacy strategy, aiming to promote and expand the use of Kiswahili beyond its own borders.
What do you think about Tanzania's efforts to promote Kiswahili? Do you see language as a powerful tool for economic diplomacy? Share your thoughts in the comments!
