The English language is getting more and more popular on the African continent, and in this article, we will tell you how many countries in Africa speak English in our days. It seems that the list can be extended in the near future.
English has become a vital language for communication across various sectors in Africa, including education, government, and business. As globalization continues to shape the world, many African nations are adopting English as an official language. This trend showcases how English serves as a bridge for international dialogue and commerce, allowing countries to engage more effectively on the global stage.
In this article, we will explore the list of anglophone countries in Africa, discussing their unique attributes and the role of English in their societies. By understanding the linguistic landscape of Africa, we can appreciate the cultural diversity and the growing emphasis on English as a medium of instruction and communication throughout the continent.
Anglophone Countries of Africa
In our days, more and more African countries accept English as an official language. Here we have the list of anglophone countries in Africa.
1. Botswana
READ ALSO: Francophone countries in West Africa and their capitals. English and Tswana are two official languages in this country. The country gained constitution and independence in 1965. The population of the country is 2.1 million people.
2. Cameroon
In addition to English, French is the official language. Before 1961 the country was a colony of France.
3. Eritrea
The official languages of this country are English, Tigrigna, and Arabic. The country is multi-ethnic, with a population of 6.3 million people.
4. Gambia
One of the anglophone countries in West Africa.
5. Ghana
Another English-speaking country in the west of the continent. Around 67% of the population speaks English.
6. Kenya
Swahili and English are the official languages. There is a local dialect known as Kenyan English.
7. Lesotho
The country is located in South Africa.
8. Liberia
The official language is English. Until 1947, it was an American colony.
9. Malawi
The country of southeastern Africa has English and Chichewa as its official languages.
10. Mauritius
This island is located in the Indian Ocean, and English is considered an official language of the parliament.
11. Namibia
The official language of the country is English, but only 3% of the population speaks this language.
12. Nigeria
The country was a British colony until 1960 and is the most populated among English-speaking countries in Africa.
13. Rwanda
The country of East Africa has three official languages: English, French, and Kinyarwanda.
14. Seychelles
The official languages are French, English, and Seychellois Creole.
15. Sierra Leone
This is a West African country where English is used as a school and government language.
16. Somaliland
Another one among anglophone countries, this county gained independence in 1991.
17. South Africa
There are 11 official languages in the Republic, and one of them is English.
18. South Sudan
English is the primary language at all levels of education.
19. Swaziland
Swati and English are the official languages.
20. Tanzania
Swahili and English are the official languages of the United Republic of Tanzania.
21. Uganda
Swahili and English have official language status, with English being the language of universities and schools.
22. Zambia
English is the language of business, universities, and schools in the country.
23. Zimbabwe
English is the language of education and judiciary, with 16 official languages in total.
Now you know how many English-speaking countries there are in Africa. The language is becoming increasingly popular across the continent, indicating that it may lead to greater educational opportunities and advancements for many nations.
READ ALSO: West African countries and their capitals
Source: Legit.ng
