Sema Jambo – World Kiswahili Day London
Thank You for an Incredible Season 5
On behalf of the Sema Jambo team, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made Season 5 – World Kiswahili Day London an unforgettable celebration at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.
To our distinguished VIP guests, diplomatic community, partners, sponsors, supporters, artists, performers, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, media partners, and every guest who joined us—thank you. Your presence, enthusiasm, and commitment helped create an extraordinary evening celebrating the beauty, diversity, and global influence of the Kiswahili language and culture.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our event partners and supporters whose belief in our vision continues to strengthen this growing international celebration. Your collaboration enables us to bring together communities, cultures, businesses, and friendships through the universal language of Kiswahili.
A special thank you goes to our outstanding artists and performers, whose talent, creativity, and passion brought the spirit of East Africa and the Swahili-speaking world to life through music, fashion, dance, poetry, and cultural expression.
To our dedicated volunteers and organising team, your tireless work behind the scenes ensured every detail was delivered with professionalism, warmth, and excellence. Your commitment is the foundation upon which Sema Jambo continues to grow.
We also thank our exhibitors and businesses for showcasing innovation, entrepreneurship, culture, and commerce at the International Biashara Expo. Your participation demonstrated the strength and opportunity that exists within our global Swahili community.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the exceptional management and staff of the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square for their outstanding hospitality, professionalism, and support in hosting this prestigious international celebration. Their commitment to excellence helped create a memorable experience for all our guests.
Sema Jambo is more than an organisation—it is a vibrant movement celebrating the richness of the Kiswahili language, culture, and heritage. Rooted in unity and pride, our mission is to honour and elevate the diverse traditions of the Swahili-speaking world while bringing communities together through language, culture, commerce, education, and shared history.
At the heart of Sema Jambo lies a bold vision: to unite Swahili-speaking communities and global friends in one of the world's great cultural capitals while showcasing the depth, beauty, and dynamism of Kiswahili. From cuisine and fashion to music, literature, storytelling, business, and innovation, Sema Jambo provides an international platform where heritage meets excellence.
As one remarkable chapter comes to a close, we are already looking ahead with excitement.
Save the Date
Season 6 – Sema Jambo: World Kiswahili Day London 2027
Saturday, 10 July 2027
Join us as we continue to celebrate the global language of Kiswahili, strengthen international partnerships, and bring together cultures from across the world for another spectacular celebration.
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Sema Jambo – World Kiswahili Day London 2027
Sema Jambo has firmly established itself as one of London's leading celebrations of Kiswahili language, culture, and heritage. Following the outstanding success of Season 5 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square in July 2026, the event once again brought together diplomats, business leaders, artists, exhibitors, community organisations, and guests from across the world for an unforgettable celebration of art, culture, fashion, cuisine, music, enterprise, and the prestigious SJA Awards Ceremony, further cementing Sema Jambo's place as a flagship event on London's cultural calendar.
In June 2026, Sema Jambo, in partnership with Simba Productions, successfully coordinated and delivered the 66th Independence Day Celebrations on behalf of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in London. This followed the successful organisation of the 61st Union Day Celebrations for the High Commission of Tanzania in 2025 by our sister company, Simba Productions. Both diplomatic celebrations attracted excellent attendance, bringing together ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, government representatives, and members of the African diaspora for evenings of unity, celebration, and national pride.
On 11 July 2026, the Sema Jambo team proudly delivered an elevated Glittering Gala Swahili Evening—a spectacular fusion of culture, music, fashion, cuisine, business, diplomacy, and diaspora unity, celebrating the global influence of the Kiswahili language.
Looking Ahead to Season 6 – July 2027
Sema Jambo returns with an exciting week-long programme of events celebrating World Kiswahili Day London 2027.
The celebrations will begin with an invite-only Diplomatic Reception at the House of Lords, welcoming ambassadors, high commissioners, parliamentarians, government representatives, and distinguished guests.
The programme will also feature:
- World Kiswahili Day Celebrations
- The Kiswahili Conference – "Thinking and Living in Swahili"
- The Annual Swahili Charity Day
- The International Sema Jambo Business Expo, SOKONI provides businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, charities, and organisations with an outstanding platform for exhibition, networking, trade, and international collaboration.
- The Sema Jambo Glittering Gala Swahili Evening & SJA Awards is the pinnacle celebration recognising excellence while showcasing the very best of Swahili culture, music, fashion, cuisine, and entertainment.
At Sema Jambo, inclusivity is not simply a value—it is the foundation of everything we do. We proudly celebrate the diversity of the global Swahili-speaking community, welcoming participants from East Africa, Central Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, and the wider international diaspora.
We provide a dynamic platform where businesses, creatives, innovators, community organisations, and cultural ambassadors connect, collaborate, and celebrate success. With a strong diplomatic presence, curated exhibitions, inspiring speakers, world-class entertainment, and exceptional cultural showcases, Sema Jambo offers a truly unique international experience where heritage meets innovation.
Join us to celebrate the beauty of Kiswahili—a language that transcends borders, connects people, and strengthens our shared global identity. Walk the iconic Sema Jambo Awards Red Carpet, showcase your organisation, expand your network, and become part of a movement that unites culture, commerce, diplomacy, and community.
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Celebrate with us I Exhibit with us I Partner with us. IÂ Grow with us.
Sema Jambo – World Kiswahili Day London 2027
1–4 July 2027
For sponsorship, exhibition opportunities, and ticket information:
Website: www.semajambo.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)7852 100879
Email: semajambo@gmail.com
Corporate: info@mtmawards.co.uk
#BeautifulSwahili
A Celebration of Swahili Language, Culture & Heritage
World Kiswahili Day Celebrations with Sema Jambo by MTMÂ
July 2022- July 2026Â
World Kiswahili Day London by MTM 2024
Following the success of the 2023 Sema Jambo Evening, the celebration moved to the prestigious London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square in July 2024, delivering an immersive showcase of Swahili culture, fashion, music, and enterprise. The event was graced by H.E. Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the UK, alongside dignitaries from Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi, with a special diplomatic reception hosted at the House of Lords by Lord Paul Boateng.
That year also marked a milestone with the launch of the first Sema Jambo Business & Culture Expo, held at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. A number of inspiring SMEs participated, creating a valuable platform for partners and entrepreneurs to showcase their brands, innovations, and services to an international audience.
World Kiswahili Day London by MTM 2023
2023: Our inaugural Sema Jambo Awards (SJA) took place at Westminster Central Hall, welcoming nearly 300 guests and dignitaries, including the High Commissioner of Seychelles, H.E. Patsy Moustache.
This marked the debut of the SJA Exhibition, showcasing authentic Swahili artefacts and craftsmanship.
Sema Jambo was founded in 2018 by MTM Awards to connect the platform with its East African roots — a region dear to the founders’ hearts.
When the United Nations declared July 7 as World Kiswahili Day, we officially launched Sema Jambo on this significant date.
In true MTM tradition — as creators of the Sema Jambo Swahili celebrations in London — we showcase talent across music, media, art, and fashion.
In 2023, we proudly welcomed two remarkable young artists: Kenya’s Taarab maestro Brother Nassir and Namite Selvaggi, an Italian of Tanzanian descent from Terracina, Rome.
World Kiswahili Day London by MTM 2022
Since its historic launch on 7 July 2022 at the House of Lords — graced by H.E. Asha-Rose Migiro, then High Commissioner of Tanzania to the UK, and Baroness Sandy Verma — Sema Jambo has grown into a flagship celebration of cultural diplomacy, community pride, and global connection.
Join us in 2026 for an unforgettable evening of celebration, networking, and recognition as we shine a global spotlight on the vibrancy, influence, and excellence of Swahili heritage. This is more than an event — it is a statement of identity, unity, and legacy.
Sema Jambo!
Which simply means Say Hi in the Beautiful Language - Kiswahili!
A celebration of cultures, music, and food
Sema Jambo is a celebration of cultures, music, and food, sharing the richness of Kiswahili with the world and inviting travellers to explore Swahili-speaking countries.
July 2023 we proudly launched our inaugural Sema Jambo Gala Swahili Evening, honouring the unsung heroes who have contributed to the awareness of Kiswahili through various forms of art and expression.
This event was a first not only in the UK but possibly in the world, bringing Kiswahili to the heart of London on World Kiswahili Day at the House of Lords in July 2022!