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.

There are over 200 million speakers of Kiswahili spread across East, Central and southern Africa, as well as over 200,000 speakers in the USA(as of end 2018). There are 27 Universities in the USA that 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 its original form.

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 .
Our audience comprises African diaspora, tourists, students, academicians, expatriates, United Nation Staff, Diplomats, artists, linguists and cultural enthusiasts.

Vision:
Our vision is to be a center of excellence that promotes Swahili language and supports a positive narrative about Africa.

Mission:
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 showcases Swahili and African culture through poetry, music, art exhibitions, book reading, story-telling, film, fashion, food, theater, music and dance.

Our Slogan is: Our Language, Our Culture ( Lugha yetu, Utamaduni Wetu)
Our Alternate(Swahili) Name is: Taasisi ya Sanaa ya Kiswahili