Stakeholders at the 2026 Africa Languages Week, held at the University of Ghana, in Accra, have urged African Governments to adopt indigenous languages in education.

They emphasized that essence of harnessing the vast economic and social potential of Africa’s more than 600 million indigenous language speakers for rapid development.

Some of the participants at the event include, Cletus Iloabanafor, CEO, Africa; and Acting Executive Secretary, ACALAN, Shule, were of the view that effective engagement with this demography could significantly transform business outcomes by expanding reach to nearly 60 per cent of Africans who remain excluded due to the dominance of colonial languages in governance, commerce, and public communication.

They emphasised that sustained investment in African languages is critical to unlocking inclusive development across the continent.

Stakeholders said reclaiming Africa’s linguistic heritage is essential to shaping a future in which the continent fully realises its potential on the global stage.
They called on policymakers, corporate organisations, private sector actors, and civil society groups to increase support for the African Academy of Languages, ACALAN, as it prepares to mark its 20th anniversary.