The African Academy of Languages is the African Union’s specialized institution for African languages, headquartered in Bamako, Mali.
About ACALAN
ACALAN was established in January 2006 as a specialized institution of the African Union. It grew out of the Mission for the African Academy of Languages (MACALAN), created by Presidential Decree in Mali in 2000.
Its responsibility is to develop African languages so they can be used in every area of society, alongside English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
2000
MACALAN created in Mali
2006
Became an AU specialized institution
20
Years of service, 2006–2026
Bamako
Headquarters, Mali
Our mandate
To develop African languages for use in every area of social life, working alongside English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Our objectives
Promote African languages and their use in schools and learning at every level.
Strengthen cooperation between Member States on language policy and development.
Support initiatives for the languages that are shared across national borders.
Our background
19 December 2000
President Alpha Oumar Konaré of Mali creates the Mission for the African Academy of Languages by Presidential Decree N°00-630/PRM.
January 2006
The Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government adopts ACALAN’s statutes, and the Mission becomes the Academy.
2026
Two decades of advancing African languages in education, research, policy and the digital world.
On December 19, 2000, the President of the Republic of Mali at the time, His Excellency Alpha Oumar KONARE, established the Mission for the African Academy of Languages (MACALAN) through Presidential Decree N°00-630/PRM.
The Mission was transformed into the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) in January 2006, when its statutes were approved by the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union, designating it as a specialized institution of the African Union.
ACALAN has been given the responsibility of developing and promoting African languages so that they can be utilized in all aspects of society, alongside the languages inherited from colonization: English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Meet the organs and working structures that guide the Academy’s work across the continent.
Acting Executive Secretary of ACALAN.
