Top 12 Must-Attend Events in the Localization and Translation Industry in 2025
Africa's localisation and translation industry is rapidly evolving, with several key events lined up in 2025 to address linguistic diversity, technological advancements, and translation best practices. Whether you are a translator, interpreter, linguist, or language enthusiast, these conferences and projects provide invaluable opportunities to network, learn, and contribute to the industry's growth. Here are the ten best events you should attend this year:
1. The Association of Language Companies in Africa (ALCA) Annual Conference
It is a premier event that brings together key players in the African language services industry. Held annually, this conference serves as a platform for language service providers (LSPs), industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss pressing issues, explore emerging trends, and strengthen professional networks. To stay informed about upcoming editions, program details, and registration, visit the ALCA official website.
organised by Kabod Language Services, is a virtual event dedicated to empowering African language professionals, including freelancers, language companies, and industry stakeholders. It will focus on essential marketing and growth strategies tailored to the African language services sector and offer a platform for networking with industry experts and peers, fostering collaboration and innovation. Registration is free but required to attend. For more details and to secure your spot, visit the official conference page.
Whether you work for a language services or technology company, a global enterprise, or a university, you’ll find content and peers that share the challenges that matter to you. Network, meet partners, benchmark, evaluate, get perspective, share experience, and forge alliances. GALA Conference, 13 - 15 April 2025 in Montreal, Canada is the perfect opportunity to learn and network with the localization professional community.
Whether you work for a language services or technology company, a global enterprise, or a university, you’ll find content and peers that share the challenges that matter to you. Network, meet partners, benchmark, evaluate, get perspective, share experience, and forge alliances. GALA Conference, 13 - 15 April 2025 in Montreal, Canada is the perfect opportunity to learn and network with the localization professional community.
Under the theme Harnessing African Languages for Digital Transformation and Social Justice, this conference will explore the role of African languages in technology and societal equity. It is a must-attend for linguists, educators, and tech professionals interested in language preservation and digital inclusion. Date: February 21-28, 2025 Location: University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria & Online (Hybrid)
Date: May 7-9, 2025
Location: Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
As Africa's leading conference on digital education, eLearning Africa will include discussions on integrating indigenous languages into online learning and artificial intelligence in translation.
It is a significant event dedicated to the preservation and promotion of native African languages. Last year it was hosted by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Nigeria, from October 29 to 30. This year it will be held in Windhoek, Namibia. This congress will address language preservation, policy-making, and the integration of indigenous languages in education and governance.
8. African Language Teachers Association (ALTA) Conference
The 2025 ALTA Conference will be hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Center for African Studies and the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center from April 10–12, 2025. The conference will explore integrating disciplines, professions, and communities to enhance African language pedagogy and will focus on incorporating cultural, social, and professional contexts into language instruction.
This event plays a pivotal role in supporting language practitioners across South Africa and the broader African continent. In September 2023, SATI hosted its fourth Triennial Conference in Stellenbosch, aligning the event with International Translation Day. A key highlight of the event was the official launch of FIT Africa, an initiative to foster collaboration among translation and interpretation experts across the continent.
The 2nd edition of the International Conference on Language Technologies for All (LT4All 2025) is centered around the theme “Advancing Humanism through Language Technologies.” This year’s conference aims to push the boundaries of language technology while emphasizing community empowerment as a driving force.
LT4All 2025 will explore the intricate relationships between technology, language, and the communities they serve from multiple perspectives, including scientific, technical, cultural, linguistic, economic, political, and ethical. More than just advancing technology for its own sake, the conference seeks to harness its potential to enhance human capabilities, foster inclusivity, and empower diverse linguistic communities worldwide.
LT4All 2025 isorganized by ELRA and SIGUL, the ELRA/ISCA Special Interest Group on Under-resourced Languages, in partnership with UNESCO. It will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 26 February 2025 as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) and will commemorate the Silver Jubilee of International Mother Language Day. It will try to bring together scientific and technological solution providers and representatives of linguistic communities.
The 2nd edition of the International Conference on Language Technologies for All (LT4All 2025) is centered around the theme “Advancing Humanism through Language Technologies.” This year’s conference aims to push the boundaries of language technology while emphasizing community empowerment as a driving force.
LT4All 2025 will explore the intricate relationships between technology, language, and the communities they serve from multiple perspectives, including scientific, technical, cultural, linguistic, economic, political, and ethical. More than just advancing technology for its own sake, the conference seeks to harness its potential to enhance human capabilities, foster inclusivity, and empower diverse linguistic communities worldwide.
LT4All 2025 isorganized by ELRA and SIGUL, the ELRA/ISCA Special Interest Group on Under-resourced Languages, in partnership with UNESCO. It will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 26 February 2025 as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) and will commemorate the Silver Jubilee of International Mother Language Day. It will try to bring together scientific and technological solution providers and representatives of linguistic communities.
This annual gathering unites the African machine learning and AI community, fostering collaboration and innovation. Since 2017, our mission has been to empower African AI and ensure that Africans play a leading role in shaping the future of AI advancements. It will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 17 to 22, 2025.
Attending these events will inform you about industry trends, technological advancements, and policy discussions in the language and translation sector. Whether you want to network, gain insights, or contribute to language preservation, these events offer valuable platforms to engage with professionals and stakeholders. Mark your calendar and make 2025 a year of learning and collaboration in the language industry!
This annual gathering unites the African machine learning and AI community, fostering collaboration and innovation. Since 2017, our mission has been to empower African AI and ensure that Africans play a leading role in shaping the future of AI advancements. It will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 17 to 22, 2025.