In a landmark event for linguistic and cultural empowerment, the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) has officially launched the ACALAN Continental Youth Committee for the Empowerment of African Languages (ACYCEAL) at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 . This initiative brings together vibrant youth leaders from across Africa, representing countries such as Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Gambia, and Ethiopia.
The launch ceremony was more than just an operational workshop; it signaled the beginning of a powerful youth-led movement aimed at preserving and innovating African languages for the digital age. Dr. Lang Fafa Dampha, the Executive Secretary of ACALAN, opened the event with a compelling statement: “Today, we launch a bold initiative that redefines Africa’s linguistic future by placing its most powerful force, our youth, at the heart of transformation.”
ACYCEAL is conceived as a dynamic platform for young leaders to lead, innovate, and advocate for the needs of their communities. It aims to reposition African languages from being viewed as remnants of the past to valuable tools for empowerment and development in the 21st century. Under the theme “Empowering African Youth through Language Innovation and Digital Technologies,” ACYCEAL's key priorities include:
· Promoting multilingual education in indigenous languages.
· Expanding digital inclusion through localized tech development.
· Shaping progressive language policies driven by youth voices.
Recognizing the dual-edged impact of digital technology, ACALAN is forging strategic partnerships with global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft. Planned collaborations will focus on:
· Developing AI-powered e-learning platforms in African languages.
· Creating digital tools aimed at preserving oral traditions and indigenous knowledge.
· Establishing inclusive digital ecosystems reflecting Africa’s linguistic diversity.
“Technology is not neutral. It can either erase or elevate,” emphasized Dr. Dampha. “ACYCEAL will lead that change, transforming African languages into dynamic tools of empowerment.”
With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, this initiative underscores the vital role of young people in shaping the continent’s linguistic and cultural future. Delegates were not only participants but were also urged to become architects of the ACYCEAL Action Plan for 2025-2030, a strategic framework designed to guide the initiative over the next five years.
They were challenged to:
· INNOVATE: Utilize AI and digital solutions to revitalize and modernize African languages.
· ADVOCATE: Promote language rights and support multilingual education at all levels.
· LEAD: Influence policies that institutionalize mother-tongue learning and foster cultural pride.
The establishment of ACYCEAL aligns with key African Union frameworks, including the Language Plan of Action for Africa, the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, and Assembly Decision 796, which promotes Kiswahili as a working language of the African Union.
As the workshop concluded, ACALAN aims to achieve several objectives, including a ratified ACYCEAL mandate, a set of policy recommendations for the African Union, and the initiation of scalable projects for immediate implementation.
The event was wrapped up with an inspiring quote from the distinguished poet and statesman Léopold Sédar Senghor: “We will conserve only what we love, love only what we understand, and understand only what we are taught.”
With the official launch of ACYCEAL, ACALAN and its partners are paving the way for a future where African languages are not only preserved but also celebrated and integrated into the global landscape through education, innovation, and youth leadership.
