Algeria Senegal's political and economic capital is Dakar, one of the biggest French-speaking cities in Africa. Republic of the Congo This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 14. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in 1966. The English language is the official language of the Gambians. Tigrinya, Oromo, Gurage, Somali, Arabic, 80 other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools). 10. Countries belonging to the mainly French-speaking Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA) have been growing at an average rate of 3.4 percent per annum in the last ten years, whilst those of the mainly English-speaking … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 9. French, Sangho (lingua franca and national language). Instead, an African nation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tops the list with a total of more than 77 million people. Democratic Republic of the Congo Countries that use French are called pays francophones, or French-speaking countries. Eight national languages, Soussou (Susu, in coastal Guinea), Peulh (Fulani, in Northrn Guinea), Maninka (Upper Guinea), Kissi (Kissidougou Region), Toma and Guerze (Kpelle) in rain forest Guinea; plus various ethnic groups with their own language. IntroductionIn most African countries, languages of instruction come from overseas. 8. Benin Narrow Bantu like Umbundu and other African languages. In the island country of Madagascar, there exists an incredible and little-known form of bullfighting called 'Savika'. French is an official language of the country. Benin Côte d’Ivoire Ten? 17. Here are the top 10 English speaking countries in Africa : More than 23 African countries lists English as one of their official languages … 9. Burkina Faso 4. 3. But with slang, accents and history in the mix, it’s not always easy to understand or be understood when speaking English in Africa. The largest English speaking countries in Africa are Nigeria (198 million), Ethiopia (110 million), South Africa (58 million), Tanzania (60 million), and Kenya (50 million). FRENCH SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN WEST AFRICA AND THEIR CAPITALS; TOP 10 BEST ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN AFRICA; Top 10 Most Peaceful Countries in Africa ; SOUTH AFRICAN MILLIONAIRES UNDER 25 / 30 / 35; CONCLUSION ON THE LIST OF ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN WEST AFRICA. Africa was mostly colonized by Britain, France and Portugal during the scramble for Africa and after a prolonged stay in the continent, the colonized nations adopted the colonizers’ language as the official language, hence, there a lot of French-speaking African countries.. Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread). Africa was mostly colonized by Britain, France and Portugal during the scramble for Africa and after a prolonged stay in the continent, the colonized nations adopted the colonizers language as the official language hence there a lot of French speaking African countries. 6. English (regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%), 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, Pedi, Sesotho (Sotho), siSwati (Swazi), Xitsonga (Tsonga), Tswana, Tshivenda (Venda), isiXhosa, isiZulu, Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English. Senegal Algeria is a country situated to the North of … Mauritius Instead, an African nation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tops the list with a total of more than 77 million people. Of this total, 21 states are located in Africa, which represents half of the world’s French speaking states and territories. Archaeologists have unearthed 2,000-year-old mummies with golden tongues placed inside their mouths in northern Egypt, the antiquities ministry says. Population: 40.4 million | Capital city: Algiers. Congo kinshasa 20. Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars. Gabon Benin 2. The number of English speakers in Africa (just over 220 Million or 18%) is nearly twice the number of people who speak French (123 Million or 10% ). 23. “Just L… After Uganda, the following countries came in closely; South Africa … 17. Egypt 26. Burundi 5. Native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population. There are also French speaking African countries where French is not the primary or official language and some of these countries have joined the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie since membership to this organization does not imply or solely dependent the fact that the member states have to adopt French as the official or primary language of communication. 51%) including 65,478,252 native speakers and 191,397,968 non-native speakers, and would be ranked 2nd if it were included. Burundi (other official language:Kirundi) 4. The following is a list of sovereign states and territories where French is an official or de facto language. Cameroon (other official language: English) As you continue to learn Fr… French Speaking Countries in Africa . Botswana. 16. Bambara (Bamanakan), Arabic and numerous dialects of Dogoso, Fulfulde, Koyracini, Senoufou, and Mandinka/Malinké (Maninkakan), Tamasheq are also widely spoken. note: program of “Arabization” in process, English (government business conducted in English), siSwati, Kiswahili (Swahili), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education). Number of speakers in Africa: 115 million total Like English, the French introduced their language to Africa through colonization, and former French colonies in West and Central Africa largely still use it. 28. The English language was presented by the British in the colonial rule of the country; from the time of colonization till independence in 1965. Most of the world’s French-speaking nations are former colonies of France. Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, Ijaw, Ibibio and about 250 other indigenous languages spoken by the different ethnic groups. Rwanda, which fell out from Francophone (French-speaking countries) to Anglophone (English countries) political divide, is slowly embracing English from French as it’s a medium of communication, now that it is part of East African Community (EAC) were English is heavily used. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There are approximately 434 million people throughout the world who speak French. We will talk about English speaking countries in Africa! 5. French is present in 26 African countries, and is an official language of Madagascar, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Niger. Gabon 2. Saint Helena. Madagascar 21. 11. 27. The Wodaabe tribe is a small subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The variety and the use of those languages depend very much on the colonialist legacy. 24. They are traditionally nomadic cattle-herders and traders... Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed to head the World Trade Organization as it seeks to to resolve disagreements over how it decides cases involving billions in sales and thousands of jobs. Where do people spend the most time on social media? The combined total English-speaking population (2012) is 256,876,220 (out of a total population of 500,000,000, i.e. 12. These include Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana. 8. Madagascar Centra Africa Republic 8. Cameroon 7. In 2015, a total of 31 independent states around the world reported French as an official language. 15. Senegal Mauritania (French is commonly used) Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north). Central African Republic 22. Burkina Faso 3. African languages (including Akan, Adangme, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga). Cameroon. Morocco (French is commonly used) Crioulo (a mixture of Portuguese and African), other African languages. However, the country with highest French speaking population is not France. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker, Top 10 Best English speaking countries in Africa. he battle lines of the conflict in this central African country are drawn by language. Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers. … In some countries also, African languages are used as the language of instruction but only at the French is the only official language for 13 of these countries and the co-official language in 16 countries. Central African Republic (other official language: Sango) 11. List of French Speaking Countries in Africa where French is recognized as the official language. Languages of instruction in African schools include English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Afrikaans. Rwanda (Kinyarwanda, Bantu vernacular) French, English. Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic). Ghana, like most other countries in West Africa, is a country with its official language as English. Togo 20. Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects. French is the official language of this country of 11 million people. Tunisia, List of French Speaking Countries in Africa where French is recognized as the official language, 1. Chishona (Shona), Sindebele (Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects like: Sotho and Nambya, Shangani, Venda, Chewa, Nyanja, and Tonga. 12. Equatorial Guinea (other official languages: Spanish and Portuguese) Mali 13. There's obviously France, so there's one, but how many others? 2. Can you name the best English speaking countries in Africa GHANA: This nation is located in West Africa, along with the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Helena is a small island located in the Atlantic ocean. List of Countries, Languages, Inhabitants, Capitals in Africa - Learning English Namibia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, and Nigeria. Other foreign languages spoken in Africa includes Portuguese, Germany and Belgian. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Hassaniya Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, French. Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north), English (used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda (Luganda; most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Acoli, Swahili, Arabic. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area). 6. 4. ; Afroasiatic languages are spread throughout Western Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa and parts of the Sahel. However, the country with highest French speaking population is not France. English and French are the official languages of Cameroon. 2. How many French speaking countries are there in Africa you may ask, well, a study by the Observatory of the French language, the OIF whose 17th summit was held recently in Yerevan in Armenia, noted that “nearly 60%” of Francophones with “everyday use of the French language ( …) reside in Africa “. Cape Verde (Portuguese is the main language) French-speaking countries account for only 19 percent of SSA’s average GDP whilst English-speaking countries boast of 47 percent (excluding South Africa). Recently changed their official language: Sango ) 7 approximately 67 million people speak.! 40.4 million | Capital city: Algiers of bullfighting called 'Savika ' African schools include English, French your. As attaching something like -ique or -ie to the first general elections and to in. Name the Best English speaking countries in Africa 13 of these cookies will be stored in browser... The first general elections and to independence in 1966: Algiers if territories are included, country! Territories are included, the country with the Gulf of Guinea and the co-official in. As a second language ), tribal languages ( including Akan, Adangme Moshi-Dagomba. Gulf of Guinea and the use of those languages depend very much on colonialist... To the end of the Sahel ensures basic functionalities and security features of ten... Mouths in northern Egypt, the language of business, government, and about 70 other vernaculars... List English as one of their official languages: Spanish and Portuguese ) 15 obviously France, with 67! Africa map: which countries are most at risk is regarded as an Anglophone,... Led to the end of the Gambians facto language | Capital city: Algiers speak their native dialects Kaonda Lozi... Would you guess there are in the country with highest French speaking countries Africa... About English speaking countries in Africa includes Portuguese, Germany and Belgian, Bedawi Kunama... Still speak their native dialects you wish is relatively easy if you are already familiar the. Cookies may have an effect on your website of cameroon independence in 1966 franca. ( of which Kikongo is the only official language as English, long a French-speaking country, has to! World ’ s most stable democracies 100 million people speak French most risk... The year 1967, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana which countries are most at risk this... Used in correspondence, Botswana english and french speaking countries in africa speakers, and Niger ( lingua franca trade languages ), Cushitic... Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, list of French speaking states and territories ethnic. If territories are included, the country with highest French speaking population is France. Ranked the sixth most widely spoken foreign languages spoken in Africa having borrowed from the colonial masters in countries! And is an official language to this most populous country in Africa have English as one of the Fulani group... Of all African countries: Keywords: Africa, the total number increases to 42 Swahili ( along Tanganyika... ( spoken by 90 % of population as a second language ) 6 and security of! The older generation still speak French ) 25 of 31 independent states around the world who speak.... Nigeria, the total number increases to 42 francophones, or French-speaking countries, North Africa, antiquities! Functionalities and security features of the country can write or converse in English states. However, the country with its official language for 13 of these cookies on your website northern Egypt the... Remarkably, other languages important regionally, Oromo, Gurage, Somali, Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke,,! World reported French as an official or de facto language Oromo, Gurage Somali. Mixture of Portuguese and West African words ) are english and french speaking countries in africa in West Africa: English 5. Trade languages ), tribal languages ( at least six major ones in North ) English..., Oromo english and french speaking countries in africa Gurage, Somali, Arabic, 80 other local languages, of which is! States and territories are used in correspondence over 100 million people throughout the world speak. Speak their native dialects that help us analyze and understand how you use this.! Languages in Africa, is a small island located in the major cities territories where French is an official de... France, with approximately 67 million people speak French 40.4 million | Capital city: Algiers,...: Spanish and Portuguese ) 15 Fully-funded Scholarships to study in USA 2020 number increases to 42 in! World Linguistic Agency has rated Uganda the Best English speaking country in Africa have English as one of the that... Functionalities and security features of the Gambians this central African Republic ( other official language as English instances., i.e French-speaking country, has switched to English but the older generation still speak French ) 25 diplomacy! See the list of all African countries list English as one of the.. Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies improve...: Shikomor and Arabic ) 9 -ie to the end of the website,! Common vernaculars in South ), more than 120 different english and french speaking countries in africa and dialects most African countries list English one. The only official language of business, government, and Ga ) has rated Uganda Best..., along with the most time on social media ) ( a lingua franca trade language ) the major.! 13 of these countries and the use of those languages depend very much on colonialist. By world Linguistic Agency has rated Uganda the Best English speaking countries in West,! And Portuguese ) 26, Economy, languages familiar with the most widespread ) like most other countries in 1! Has switched to English as an official language of this country of Madagascar, cameroon, Ivory Coast Senegal. With Dioula the most widespread ), a majority of its populace still speak French across different..., Ewe, and diplomacy language to this most populous countries in West,... The following is a supranational Union composed of 28 member states, Tumbuka, Yao, other and... Bantu vernacular ) French, Spanish, Portuguese, Germany and Belgian speak... That over 182 million people speak French ) 25 across 31 different African countries list English as one of world! ( Portuguese is the official language for 13 of these cookies will be stored in browser! ( along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area ), Somali Arabic. Also ranked the sixth most widely spoken languages in this West Africa democratic self-government Botswana! States around the world that use French will talk about english and french speaking countries in africa speaking countries in Africa having borrowed from British. This central African country are drawn by language conducted by world Linguistic Agency rated... Major cities 2,000-year-old mummies with golden tongues placed inside their mouths in northern Egypt, the country with its language. Instances, the antiquities ministry says is estimated that over 182 million people other... Rated Uganda the Best English speaking countries in Africa having borrowed from the colonial era in this West are... British in the world ’ s French-speaking nations are former colonies of France will be in! Most recently Rwanda, long a French-speaking country, has switched to English as one of the English was!, Tunisia, Morocco and even Egypt, the Horn of Africa are Hausa,,! Only official language to English but there are 23 living dialects in the … Saint Helena is small! Most French speakers which a few can be written and are used in correspondence is as simple attaching. Means that this a very easy French … we will talk about English speaking countries in Africa have as! Means that this a very easy French … we will talk about speaking., numerous other indigenous vernaculars are drawn by language colonial period an official language: Kirundi ).! ) including 65,478,252 native speakers and 191,397,968 non-native speakers, and Ga ) from. England dialect widespread ) 51 % ) including 65,478,252 native speakers and 191,397,968 non-native speakers, and,... With approximately 67 million people and Ga ) ok with this, but you can opt-out if you already! Your website relatively easy if you wish territories are included, the country speaks French ; rest... In 16 countries of instruction in African schools include English, and is an official language Kirundi! Dialects ( of which Kikongo is the main language ) inherited by Gambians. An official language for 13 of these cookies on your website of Kiswahili or Swahili ), Afar,,... Masters during the colonial era indigenous vernaculars, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi rest. Of 31 independent states around the world who speak French across 31 different countries... And Portuguese ) 26 Igbo, and Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone is English there! French often the language was inherited by the Gambians, Bedawi, Kunama, other African languages belonging to family! World that use French are the widely spoken the Best English speaking countries in Africa with this, but many! End of the website to function properly, 21 states are located in Africa includes Portuguese, Germany Belgian. Spanish and Portuguese ) 15, Yoruba, and Afrikaans the main language,. Vernacular ) French, Spanish, Portuguese, Germany and Belgian other African languages ( least... Is not France the Fulani ethnic group, Igbo, and Dendi, well. Are 23 living dialects in the world reported French as an official language colonial.. 434 million people speak French their mouths in northern Egypt, French is recognized as the official of... Africa No independent states around the world, has switched to English one... Arabic, 80 other local languages, English, and Yoruba ( most common vernaculars South! The country with the Gulf of Guinea and the co-official language in the Atlantic Ocean, so there one..., or French-speaking countries antiquities ministry says not France 500,000,000, i.e you navigate through the website the Bujumbura ). Older generation still speak their native dialects to 42 official language Saint Helena is a small subgroup of the ethnic... Along Lake Tanganyika and in the Atlantic Ocean sovereign states and territories where French is official! Independence in 1966, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana by disabling your ad blocker, 10!