Turjumaad ayaa la diyaarinayaa

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, in close coordination with the East African Kiswahili Commission (KAKAMA), has officially launched a national mobilization campaign inviting tech professionals, scholars, and researchers to submit their abstracts for the upcoming 3rd International Kiswahili Conference . This major regional event is scheduled to take place in Bujumbura, Burundi, from July 5th to July 7th, 2026, alongside the 5th World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations . The initiative presents a unique opportunity for Somalia to demonstrate its growing capabilities in scientific development, technological innovation, and linguistic integration within the East African Community.

This year’s high-level assembly operates under the theme of Kiswahili, Multilingualism, and Artificial Intelligence, exploring how machine learning and advanced digital systems can preserve, expand, and strengthen indigenous languages and digital communication across Africa . Through these academic and policy dialogues, the region aims to construct robust regulatory frameworks ensuring African languages are fully integrated into global technological systems rather than sidelined by modern developments . Young innovators and university students across Somalia are strongly encouraged to leverage this opportunity by presenting research that addresses natural language processing, digital data repositories, and digital inclusivity .

Following recent deliberations by the Regional Organizing Committee where the Somali delegation highlighted the necessity of providing adequate preparation windows for newer member states, the abstract submission window has been officially extended. The new national deadline has been moved from the original date of May 30 to June 7, 2026. Authors and researchers must transmit their abstracts, which should not exceed 200 words in either English or Kiswahili, to the official regional email address at kiskongamano@eachq.org before the updated window closes . All technical and organizational inquiries regarding the conference structure can be directed to the coordinating secretariat at jjowi@eachq.org .

The Ministry emphasizes that Somalia’s participation in the Bujumbura sessions will help lay a firm institutional foundation, opening vital channels for local professionals to cooperate with international technology firms . Independent participants, including university students, research fellows, and diplomatic attaché staff already stationed within the region, can also register directly through the official digital portal at https://forms.gle/f5PefECT5ZDiJ22b6 . This parallel registration track ensures a robust and meaningful national delegation across all policy panels, cultural roundtables, and technology exhibitions planned for the summit .