Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, a leading online media organization dedicated to enhancing to enhance the visibility of Africans to the world and the world to Africa is set to attend the upcoming Operational Workshop for the establishment of the ACALAN Continental Youth Committee for the Empowerment of African Languages (ACYCEAL).
This significant event, organized by the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN),the language agency of African Union will take place at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 27th to 28th, 2025.
The workshop, themed “Empowering African Youth through Language Innovation and Digital Technologies,” reflects a vital commitment to promoting African languages in the digital space. “I will be there to contribute to the mobilization of youth engagement and foster innovative strategies that will drive linguistic empowerment across the continent,” Prince Cletus expressed.
This initiative aligns with several key frameworks laid out by the African Union, including Aspiration 5 of the AU Agenda 2063, the Language Plan of Action for Africa (LPAA), and the ACALAN Strategic Plan (2022-2032). Through his participation, Prince Cletus aims to engage in expert presentations, panel discussions, and working groups focused on drafting the operational framework and actionable plans for ACYEAL.
Additionally, he expresses his eagerness to be involved in discussions surrounding important policies that promote African languages, particularly in the context of Assembly Decision 796 regarding Kiswahili and the Decade of African Languages.
Prince Cletus looks forward to leveraging this workshop as a valuable networking opportunity. “Collaboration among youth, developers, and investors in language technology is vital for achieving our goals,” he stated. His role on the African Languages Week Coordinating Committee (ALWCC) further underscores his dedication to preserving African linguistic heritage and ensuring it thrives in the digital age.
The upcoming workshop promises to be a landmark event for empowering youth and preserving cultural identity through innovative solutions in language technology.
