Swahili Cultural Institute (SCI) is a language and cultural institute that promotes the preservation, learning, knowledge of Swahili and other African languages, cultures and heritage.

With the rise of multilingualism, and the lack of a broader adoption of African languages, Swahili Cultural Institute helps in encouraging intercultural dialogue, building inclusive knowledge society, encouraging creativity while preserving cultural heritage.

Swahili is the most widely spoken African language and has grown to become one of the top 15 most widely spoken languages in the world. There are over 200 million speakers of Kiswahili spread across East, Central and southern Africa, as well as over 300,000 speakers in the USA(2019). Over 100 Universities and schools in the USA teach Swahili and other African languages. This necessitates an increasing need for a platform that promotes the interaction, consolidation and competency in Swahili and other African languages across sectors and facets of daily life.

As a knowledge and content center, SCI provides a platform for the millions of the unique untold stories to be highlighted and celebrated in their original form.

Our audience comprises African diaspora children,  tourists, students, academicians, expatriates, United Nation Staff, Diplomats, artists, linguists, missionaries / religious groups, general business community and cultural enthusiasts.

Vision:
To be a center of excellence that promotes Swahili language and supports a positive narrative about Africa.

Mission:
Our mission is to encourage more intercultural dialogue, build an inclusive knowledge society and inspire creativity while preserving our cultural heritage.

To support our mission, we run a Language Program that offers online Swahili classes, provide translations, create and curate knowledge resources; and our Cultural Program which promotes and showcase Swahili and African culture through poetry, music, art exhibitions, book reading, story-telling, film, fashion, food, theater, music and dance.

Based in New York City, NY, Swahili Cultural Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and registered with the New York State Charities Bureau.