Cameroon marked African Languages Week 2026 with a series of educational and cultural activities held from 18–28 February across Soa, Yaoundé, Nanga Eboko, and Maroua. The celebrations brought together schools, media, civil society organisations, and public authorities to promote African languages and their role in sustainable development.
The programme began with activities linked to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and support for language initiatives and presenting the work of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN).
The official launch took place at Notre Dame de Lourdes Bilingual School Complex in Soa, where students participated in quizzes, poetry recitals in national languages, traditional dances, and cultural presentations celebrating Cameroon’s linguistic diversity. Media engagement, including an interview on O TV4, further raised public awareness about the significance of African Languages Week.
A national event in Nanga Eboko organised by the Ministry of Basic Education and partners, gathered government officials, UNESCO representatives, traditional leaders, and students. During the event, the Minister of Basic Education announced that national languages and cultures may soon become compulsory subjects in national examinations.
The celebrations also supported ACALAN’s 2026 campaign on water and sanitation awareness, with health and hygiene messages translated into six Cameroonian languages. Activities concluded in Maroua with cultural performances and a thematic roundtable discussion.
The nationwide celebration reaffirmed the importance of African languages as tools for cultural identity, knowledge transmission, and achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.