Africa is a continent rich with language diversity, with around 2,000 languages thought to be in use. All are considered official languages of the African Union. Nigeria alone has over 500 living languages.
Below the Express takes a look at the 10 most widely spoken languages on the continent. English does not feature in the charts, but two other European languages do.
10. Zulu
There are an estimated 27 million Zulu speakers. Known for its distinctive click consonants, it is widely spoken in KwaZulu-Natal province and urban areas across South Africa.
9. Portuguese
Portuguese is spoken by around 30 million people and is the official language of several African countries, including Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. It’s used in government, media, and education, serving as a key tool for administration and international diplomacy.
8. Igbo
Igbo is spoken by some 40 million people. It is one of Nigeria’s major languages, spoken primarily in the southeastern region. It belongs to the Niger-Congo family and features a rich oral tradition, including folktales, proverbs, and songs.
7. Oromo
Spoken by some 40 million people, Oromo is the most widely spoken Cushitic language, primarily used by the Oromo people in Ethiopia and Kenya.
6. Yoruba
Spoken by some 45 million people, Yoruba belongs to the Niger-Congo family of languages, and is mostly spoken in southwestern Nigeria. It’s known for its tonal quality and complex grammar.
5. Amharic
The official language of Ethiopia is spoken by around 57 million people. It plays a crucial role in Ethiopian government, education, and media, reflecting the country’s national identity.
4. Hausa
Spoken by some 70 million people, Hausa is a Chadic language spoken widely in Nigeria and Niger, with prominent communities in Ghana, Cameroon, and Sudan. Serving as a lingua franca in West Africa, it plays a key role in trade, media, and education.
3. Swahili
Spoken by some 80 million people, Swahili is the official language of Tanzania and Kenya and also enjoys widespread use in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other parts of East Africa.
2. French
A whopping 120 million Africans are believed to speak French, which serves as an official or second language in 21 countries on the continent. In countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, French is a vital part of daily communication and administration.
1. Arabic
Top of the pops is Arabic, spoken by some 150 million people across the continent. It’s the liturgical language of Islam and holds cultural significance across North Africa, including Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Arabic’s influence extends beyond daily communication to literature, education, and media.