Tanzania requests UNESCO, Meta to officially recognize Kiswahili on global digital platforms

ARUSHA: THE Minister of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Paul Makonda, has announced that the ministry has begun discussions with UNESCO and the leadership of META (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) to officially recognize the Kiswahili language on global digital platforms, enabling young content creators using Kiswahili to earn money.

The statement was made by Minister Makonda today, March 24, 2026, in Arusha during the Kiswahili Media Conference.

“We have initiated discussions through our ministry and continue to engage with the UNESCO Executive Director and META leaders worldwide. Tanzanian youth creating content in Kiswahili currently receive very little payment because Kiswahili is not yet officially recognized on social media platforms,” said Makonda.

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He added, “We have excellent content, but we cannot monetize it like our peers posting in English. Today, you can find a Tanzanian with over three million followers posting content, and while many people view it, they earn nothing because Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok do not pay them since Kiswahili has not yet been officially recognized by META and other global platforms.”

Minister Makonda emphasized that the ministry and UNESCO have started formal discussions, expressing confidence that, God willing, Kiswahili will gain official recognition on all major global platforms within this year, allowing Tanzanian youth to earn income from their content.