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What is the importance of Swahili as a lingua franca?

Updated: 8/18/2019
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11y ago

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It's importance in the development of the East African nations cannot be overstated. It enabled Tanzania to become a unified nation from Tanganyika's independence in 1961, and was the foundation for unification with Zanzibar in 1964. It has for 90-plus years been important to the East African community, which has historically included Tanganyika and Zanzibar (now Tanzania), Kenya, and Uganda. The three are now joined by Rwanda and Burundi in the East African community.

Nowadays it not so much a lingua franca among countries; it is a national language for three countries that is also widely used in neighboring countries: Tanzania, Kenya, and Congo (where it's one of five national languages, including French; Congo probably has more native-speakers of Swahili than even Tanzanai).

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Q: What is the importance of Swahili as a lingua franca?
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