Activist Urges ECOWAS to Adopt Hausa Language for Commerce

An activist has urged ECOWAS to adopt Hausa for commerce and trade, highlighting its role in boosting regional integration and economic growth in West Africa.

Call for Hausa Language in West African Trade

Abdulbaqi Jari, the Global Coordinator of World Hausa Day, has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to formally adopt Hausa as a language for commerce and social interaction across the region.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the 2025 World Hausa Day, Jari emphasized that recognizing Hausa for business communication would not only enhance trade but also strengthen socio-economic ties among West African nations.

“Hausa is widely spoken across West Africa and can serve as a unifying language for commerce, trade, and social interactions,” Jari said.

Why Hausa Language is Key to Regional Commerce

Hausa is currently spoken across at least 25 countries, making it one of the most widely spoken indigenous African languages. Its adoption by ECOWAS could:

Facilitate easier cross-border trade and negotiations.
Promote stronger socio-economic integration across member states.
Strengthen regional cultural identity and pride.
Reduce language barriers that slow down commercial transactions.

According to Jari, adopting Hausa would align ECOWAS with global best practices where regional organizations support indigenous languages for business and diplomacy. For background on regional integration, visit the official ECOWAS website.

Hausa as a National Language in Nigeria

In addition to the ECOWAS call, Jari urged the Nigerian government to designate Hausa as the national language. He highlighted its cultural relevance, widespread adoption, and growing influence beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“Hausa has the numbers required to function effectively as Nigeria’s national language. Recognizing it would strengthen our identity and improve communication nationwide,” he said.

World Hausa Day 2025 Celebration

This year’s World Hausa Day is scheduled for August 26, 2025, at the Emir of Daura’s Palace in Katsina State. The event will showcase the heritage, economic contributions, and global presence of Hausa-speaking communities.

Highlights of the 2025 Celebration:

Cultural exhibitions at the Emir’s Palace in Daura.
Parallel events in over 25 countries across the world.
Focus on the economic contributions of Hausa-speaking traders.
Recognition of Hausa as the largest indigenous African language and the 11th most spoken language globally.

The Katsina State Government is actively collaborating with organizers to ensure the event’s success, with preparations already in full gear.

The push for ECOWAS to adopt Hausa as a language for commerce reflects growing recognition of its cultural and economic power. With millions of speakers across West Africa and beyond, Hausa is well-positioned to drive trade, strengthen regional ties, and preserve African identity on the global stage.

As the 2025 World Hausa Day approaches, the call for broader recognition of Hausa—both within Nigeria and across ECOWAS—highlights the urgent need to elevate indigenous languages as tools of economic growth and cultural pride.