With a linguistically-diverse population of more than a billion people, there are numerous languages spoken in different countries all over Africa. Local dialects such as Yoruba, Oromo, Swahili, Igbo, and Hausa are spoken by millions of Africans. Due to the effects of British colonization, several English speaking countries in Africa use the language as a primary, official, or secondary language.
Besides Rwanda and Eritrea, the rest of the English speaking countries in Africa were former British colonies. While the language is spoken in about two dozen countries in the continent, the percentage of people who can actually speak it fluently is significantly low.
List of English Speaking Countries in Africa
Here is a list of anglophone countries in Africa.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one of the Southern African countries that speak English. Formerly known as Southern Rhodesia, it is surrounded by Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, and Mozambique.
The country boasts 16 official languages and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the only country in the world to accomplish that feat. The most spoken languages in Zimbabwe are Shona, Ndebele, and English.
- Xhosa
- Venda
- Tswana
- Tonga
- Sotho
- Sign language
- Shona
- Shangani
- Ndebele
- Ndau
- Nambya
- Koisan
- Kalanga
- English
- Chibarwe
- Chewa
Swaziland
Since Swaziland’s independence in 1968, the country has remained a member of the Commonwealth. It has two official languages: Swati, the national language spoken by more than 95% of the population, and English, which is the second official language.
Zambia
Zambia’s official language is English, but there are more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. Most Zambians living in urban centers speak English fluently.
Signs and official documentation are almost always in English and/or Bemba and Nyanja, the country’s two most widely spoken local languages.
Tanzania
Tanzania is home to about 129 different ethnic groups, showcasing great linguistic diversity. Interestingly, all primary school education in the country is taught in Swahili, but the medium of instruction switches to English for secondary education.
Uganda
In Uganda, English is the official language, spoken by most educated citizens. The three major indigenous dialect families in the country are Bantu, Central Sudanic, and Nilotic.
The Gambia
The Gambia, a former British Colony, has English as its official language alongside several tribal dialects, including Mandinka and Wolof. Most Gambians are bilingual or trilingual, educated in English.
Sudan
Sudan has two official languages: literary Arabic and English. The number of dialects indigenous to Sudan is estimated at 114, comprising more than 500 different accents.
South Sudan
Upon achieving independence, South Sudan chose English as its official language, which reflects the country’s political history and aspirations for national autonomy.
South Africa
South Africa boasts eleven official languages, including English, which plays a significant role in the country’s diverse cultural landscape.
Sierra Leone
The official language of Sierra Leone is English, but there are 23 living dialects in the country. The most common dialects include Mende, Temne, Limba, and Krio, the latter being widely spoken among Creole communities.
Krio is derived primarily from English but is influenced by other African dialects and languages.
Seychelles
Seychelles recognizes Seychellois Creole, English, and French as its official languages, with Seychellois Creole being the most widely spoken among residents.
Rwanda
Rwanda recently adopted Swahili as an official language, alongside Kinyarwanda, French, and English. This decision aligns with the East African Community's policies and regional linguistic commitments.
Nigeria
Nigeria has English as its official language, but it coexists with numerous indigenous languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.
Liberia
Liberia's official language is English, which has been preserved since the colonial era. The country is multilingual, with over 30 dialects spoken.
Lesotho
Lesotho recognizes both English and Sesotho as official languages, with English primarily used for official communication, while Sesotho is used in daily life.
Namibia
In Namibia, English is the official language, but it is spoken as a first language by less than 1% of the population. The country is home to numerous dialects, including Oshiwambo and Afrikaans.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a multilingual nation where English, French, and various ethnic languages coexist, with most citizens being bilingual or trilingual.
Malawi
In Malawi, English is the official language, while Chichewa serves as the national language. Despite English being more common in formal settings, Chichewa is widely spoken among the population.
Kenya
Kenya's official languages are English and Kiswahili, with English being prominent in the tourism sector and education.
Botswana
Botswana recognizes English as the official language, while Setswana serves as the national dialect. English is widely spoken in urban areas, but Setswana remains dominant.
Burundi
Burundi adopted English as an official language in 2014, alongside Kirundi. The inclusion of English reflects the country’s efforts to enhance communication and education.
Ghana
Ghana uses English as its official language in politics, media, and education, in addition to having 11 other official dialects.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, English is not a remnant of colonialism but is used in post-primary education. The country showcases a rich tapestry of languages, despite never being colonized by the British.
Cameroon
Cameroon has both French and English as official languages, reflecting its colonial history. The country is predominantly francophone, with a decreasing proportion of anglophones.
Eritrea
Eritrea does not have an official language; however, Tigrinya, Arabic, and English are widely used in commerce and education. The country promotes the use of its nine languages at the local level.
How Many Countries in Africa Have English as an Official Language?
There are 25 countries in Africa where English is an official language. Most of these countries were formerly British colonies, making English a remnant of colonization.
Interestingly, Eritrea and Rwanda, which were never British colonies, also recognize English as an official language. Liberia and Sierra Leone are unique in that they use English as a primary dialect.
Is English Widely Spoken in Africa?
While English is an official language in many African countries, it is not widely spoken. Approximately 130 million people in Africa speak English, which is a small fraction of the continent’s population exceeding 1 billion.
Proficiency in English varies significantly among speakers, with some countries reporting that less than one percent of the population can speak it fluently. In West Africa, a Pidgin version of English is spoken by about 75 million people.
How Many West African Countries Speak English?
In West Africa, five countries primarily use English:
- The Gambia: English is widely spoken alongside the local Wolof dialect.
- Sierra Leone: English has been the principal language since British rule, with Bengali as the second official language.
- Nigeria: English is one of the official languages, reflecting its colonial history.
- Liberia: English has been adopted as an official dialect since colonial times.
- Ghana: English is commonly used in business, media, and daily conversations among citizens.
Despite the limited fluency in English among many Africans, the prevalence of English-speaking countries suggests that the language remains widespread across the continent.