Comprehensive Guide to African Languages by Country

Even for a continent with 54 different countries, Africa has a plethora of languages. It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 languages are spoken here, many with their own sets of varying dialects. To make things even more complex, in many countries the official language may differ from the lingua franca – the language spoken by the majority of citizens.

When traveling to Africa, it’s wise to research both the official language and the lingua franca of the region you plan to visit. Consequently, this effort will enable you to learn a few key phrases before your journey. Although this may be challenging—especially when faced with languages that aren’t written phonetically, such as Afrikaans, or those that include click consonants, like Xhosa—trying to communicate in the local language will be appreciated by the people you meet.

For those traveling to ex-colonies (like Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, or Senegal), European languages can also be useful. However, be prepared for the Portuguese, Spanish, or French you hear to sound quite different than their European counterparts. This article explores the official and most widely spoken languages in each African country, from Algeria to Zimbabwe.

Algeria

Official Languages: Modern Standard Arabic and Tamazight (Berber)

The most widely spoken languages in Algeria are Algerian Arabic and Berber.

Angola

Official Language: Portuguese

Portuguese is spoken as a first or second language by just over 70% of the population. Additionally, there are approximately 38 indigenous languages in Angola, including Umbundu, Kikongo, and Chokwe.

Benin

Official Language: French

Benin boasts 55 languages, most notably Fon and Yoruba (in the south) as well as Beriba and Dendi (in the north). Only about 35% of the population speaks French.

Botswana

Official Language: English

While English serves as the primary written language in Botswana, the majority of the population speaks Setswana as their mother tongue.

Burkina Faso

Official Language: French

Along with French, there are more than 60 indigenous languages in Burkina Faso, with Mossi being the most widely spoken.

Burundi

Official Languages: Kurundi, French, and English

Kurundi constitutes the primary language for most of Burundi’s population.

Cameroon

Official Languages: English and French

With approximately 250 languages spoken, French is the most widely used among the official languages. Other important regional languages include Fang and Cameroonian Pidgin English.

Cape Verde

Official Language: Portuguese

The majority of Cape Verdeans speak the Portuguese-based Cape Verde Creole as their mother tongue.

Central African Republic

Official Languages: French and Sangho

Sangho is the lingua franca in the Central African Republic, where over 70 different languages are spoken.

Chad

Official Languages: French and Modern Standard Arabic

The vernacular version of Arabic, known as Chadian Arabic, serves as the lingua franca.

Comoros

Official Languages: Comorian, French, and Arabic

More than 96% of citizens in Comoros speak Comorian, a language closely related to Swahili.

Cote d’Ivoire

Official Language: French

In Cote d’Ivoire, French acts as the official language and lingua franca, although approximately 78 indigenous languages are also common.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Official Language: French

Four indigenous languages are recognized as national languages in the DRC: Kituba, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Djibouti

Official Languages: Arabic and French

Many Djiboutians communicate in either Somali or Afar as their first language.

Egypt

Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic

In Egypt, Egyptian Arabic is the lingua franca spoken by most of the population, along with English and French in urban settings.

Equatorial Guinea

Official Languages: Spanish, French, and Portuguese

Unique in Africa, Equatorial Guinea recognizes Spanish as an official language, spoken by over 67% of its citizens.

Eritrea

Official Language: N/A

There is no official language in Eritrea, though Tigrinya is the most widely spoken.

eSwatini

Official Languages: Swazi and English

Approximately 95% of eSwatini’s population speaks Swazi.

Ethiopia

Official Language: Amharic

In Ethiopia, other significant languages include Oromo, Somali, and Tigrinya, with English being the most taught foreign language.

Gabon

Official Language: French

While over 80% of Gabonese speak French, most use one of the 40 indigenous languages as their mother tongue, such as Fang, Mbere, and Sira.

Gambia

Official Language: English

The three most prominent languages in The Gambia are Mandingo, Fula, and Wolof.

Ghana

Official Language: English

With around 80 languages spoken, English serves as the lingua franca in Ghana, complemented by the support of eight African languages, including Twi, Ewé, and Dagbani.

Guinea

Official Language: French

Guinea features over 40 native languages, with six being recognized as national languages: Fula, Maninka, Susu, Kissi, Kpelle, and Toma.

Guinea-Bissau

Official Language: Portuguese

About 91% of the populace speaks Portuguese, while around 44% converse in Guinea-Bissau Creole.

Kenya

Official Languages: Swahili and English

In Kenya, both official languages function as lingua francas, with Swahili being more widely spoken.

Lesotho

Official Languages: Sesotho and English

Over 90% of Lesotho residents use Sesotho as their first language, with bilingualism being common.

Liberia

Official Language: English

More than 30 native languages are present in Liberia, but no single language dominates the population.

Libya

Official Language: Modern Standard Arabic

Most Libyans communicate in various dialects of Arabic including Libyan, Egyptian, and Tunisian Arabic.

Madagascar

Official Languages: Malagasy and French

Malagasy is the primary language, while many citizens also speak French as a second language.

Malawi

Official Language: English

With 16 languages, Chichewa stands out as the most prominent in Malawi.

Mali

Official Language: French

Mali recognizes 13 native languages as legal, with Bambara being the most widely spoken.

Mauritania

Official Language: Arabic

The spoken Arabic in Mauritania, known as Hassaniya, differs significantly from Modern Standard Arabic.

Mauritius

Official Languages: French and English

The majority of Mauritians communicate in Mauritian Creole, a language predominantly based on French but incorporating elements from English and other languages.

Morocco

Official Languages: Modern Standard Arabic and Amazigh (Berber)

Moroccan Arabic is the most widespread language, with French serving as a second language for many educated Moroccans.

Mozambique

Official Language: Portuguese

In Mozambique, 43 languages are spoken, with Portuguese and several indigenous languages like Makhuwa, Swahili, and Shangaan being the most prevalent.

Namibia

Official Language: English

Although English is the official language, less than 1% of the population speaks it as their mother tongue. The most widely spoken language is Oshiwambo, followed by Khoekhoe, Afrikaans, and Herero.

Niger

Official Language: French

Niger recognizes 10 national languages, with Hausa being the most widespread.

Nigeria

Official Language: English

Nigeria is home to more than 520 languages, with English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba being the most commonly spoken.

Republic of Congo

Official Language: French

Lingala and Kituba are the two most spoken native languages in the Republic of Congo.

Rwanda

Official Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, and Swahili

Most Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda as their mother tongue, with English and French being widely understood.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Official Language: Portuguese

Virtually all citizens speak Portuguese, alongside Portuguese-based creole languages.

Senegal

Official Language: French

Senegal has 36 languages, with Wolof being the most prevalent among them.

Seychelles

Official Languages: Seychellois Creole, French, and English

Almost 90% of the population communicates in Seychellois Creole.

Sierra Leone

Official Language: English

Krio, an English-based creole language, serves as the lingua franca throughout the country.

Somalia

Official Languages: Somali and Arabic

Somali is the predominant language, spoken by the country’s largest ethnic group.

South Africa

Official Languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Venda, Swati, Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, and Tswana

Many South Africans are bilingual, often fluent in at least two of the country’s 11 official languages. While Zulu and Xhosa are common mother tongues, English is understood by most people.

South Sudan

Official Language: English

South Sudan houses over 60 indigenous languages, including Dinka, Nuer, Bari, and Zande.

Sudan

Official Languages: Arabic and English

Sudanese Arabic is the most widely spoken language in Sudan.

Tanzania

Official Languages: Swahili and English

Both Swahili and English serve as lingua francas in Tanzania, with Swahili being more commonly spoken.

Togo

Official Language: French

Two indigenous languages in Togo hold national language status: Ewé and Kabiyé.

Tunisia

Official Language: Literary Arabic

Almost all Tunisians speak Tunisian Arabic, and many also communicate in French.

Uganda

Official Languages: English and Swahili

In Uganda, Swahili and English serve as lingua francas, though indigenous languages like Luganda, Soga, Chiga, and Runyankore are prevalent as well.

Zambia

Official Language: English

With over 70 languages and dialects in Zambia, seven are officially recognized, including Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Kaonde, Luvale, and Lunda.

Zimbabwe

Official Languages: Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa

Of Zimbabwe’s 16 official languages, Shona, Ndebele, and English are the most commonly spoken.