Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, with a total area of 2.8 million square kilometers. Currently, more than 600 million people live in Africa and they speak a total of 250 languages across the region. English is spoken by almost half of the population while French and Arabic are also very common languages in Africa. Below you will find information about countries in Africa that speak English as their official language. Read more articles https://urlz.fr/hufR
English Speaking Countries in Africa
British Colonies in Africa!
Over the years, Great Britain has lost its colonies but they did play a big role at some point. In fact, there are many countries in Africa that can be rightly argued to have their roots in these former British colonies! Some of those African countries include Ghana and South Africa!
Was the English language first brought to Africa by European colonizers?
Besides British colonies, there are also some African countries with their own place in history for being responsible for bringing the education of this awesome language, such as Nigeria and Algeria.
Here is a list of African countries that speaks English:
1- Nigeria!
Nigeria is located on the western coast of West Africa and it has a population closer to 199 million people. The capital of Nigeria, Abuja is also where the English language was first taught as the prime minister used this method in his early years.
Interestingly, Nigeria was one of the countries that opposed British colonizers in conflicts. During World War II, Nigerian troops joined the Allies and helped them secure a victory! This is also why there are streets named after Nigerian soldiers who fought for their independence from Britain during this time period.
2- Uganda!
Uganda is located on the eastern side of central Africa. The country’s population has risen over the years because a lot of people migrated to this area after President Idi Amin became president in 1972! In the past, Ugandans had to learn English from missionaries!
Now you can meet many people with a British passport whose ancestors were born and buried in this country. It was also the first African country after World War II that offered native speakers of English employment opportunities on behalf of the government and more importantly they set up foreign language schools!!!
3- South Africa!
South African has a population of 50 million where 95% of the population speaks the English language. The nation’s capital, cape town was the first city that taught Eastern European languages, such as Polish and Russian to local people which later gave them a way to learning English this time around unlike Britain but still, they have used lots of British studies at school and some courses were offered besides taking other specific programs.
4- Lesotho!
Lesotho is a sovereign nation in southeastern Africa, bordered by South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland. Its capital is Maseru. They both share a common language with that called Sesotho language which came from Brazil.
Lesotho is the only African country on this list to not have a widespread usage of English despite its capital Lesotho does do prefer some way or another contacting each other in their own languages. It has no relation with English and instead prefers contact via Afrikaans(South Africa).
5- Tanzania!
Tanzania’s population adheres at 52 million which before independence was half British citizens while 41 million were native Tanzanians. The official language is English while there are some other languages used, such as Swahili, it was expected that in the near future most Tanzanians would be using English because in Tanzania the use of English is 8.25% while Swahili has 53%.
The capital Dar es Salaam which was founded on February 4th, 1903 by German missionaries who got there before British explorers after leaving settlement Selous Crawford can also be linked to good English speaking.
6- Zimbabwe!
This country hosted a population at 11 million and speaks three major local languages which include Shona (the primary tongue), Ndebele spoken by majority tribes like Great Zimbabwe, and the Northern Shona dialect (known as Chiwemwe) that was the language of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe from c. 1300-1450 C.E.
Other languages that are spoken include Shona, Sepedi, Ndebele, and Tonga. Most people in Zimbabwe speak English as a second language but only 25% of others prefer French which is the most used foreign Language amongst Zimbabweans at 29%.
7- Botswana!
This African country hosted a population of 1.6 million people, 25% speak English while 77 % have French as the second most used foreign language (Based on 2016) and 8% speak German
Botswana is interesting because most Botswanans are not especially fond of their native language to use in daily life. There were very long lingual barriers since Batswana felt that there were other distinct major dialects speaking different styles altogether and vernaclementally linked to other known languages.
The average length of time taken by Batswana to study a foreign language is annually 1-5 years and growing worse as the age gets older recorded in 2012 at 23.0%. Meanwhile, Soga speaking population living on the border of Botswana stands much longer because they feel little discomfort trying their new identity created with migration caused by white Europeans who went there around the 1870s.
8- Kenya!
Kenya hosted a population of 43.9 million and speaks Swahili, English (the most used foreign language) as well as Kiswahili. English was the primary tongue followed by Arabic among other local languages that qare spoken.
As per an exciting finding in the year 2000, Kenya’s population was nearly 60% of which Swahili speakers are only 40%. Comprising a greater percentage of Arabic speakers, English being the most used foreign language is and Kiswahili followed by local languages that are also spoken.
9- Rwanda!
Rwanda hosted a population of 10 million people, 21% speak English as the most used foreign language while 69% have French as their second primary adopted.
At 27 years old and older, Rwandans are more fond 0f learning other languages compared to younger learners who learn it for work or studies only. 20-25% of a total Rwandan population learned long vernacular from their mother tongue.
To sum up, vernacular languages, out of the total speakers recognized by language experts as mother tongues are always mixed with other foreign varieties. The best way to grasp and learn their native tongue is from family members who speak their mother’s tongue fluently especially if they have also learned English or French at a young age which makes them more fluent in these languages. Go to >> https://t.ly/iZ7X
According to a recent study, countries with high levels of English proficiency tend to have stronger economies and higher levels of international trade. This is because having a common language can facilitate communication and make it easier for people from different countries to do business with each other. 1
FAQ
How many countries in Africa that speak English?
English is an official language in several countries in Africa. The number of African countries where English is spoken can vary depending on how you define “speaking English.” Here is a list of African countries where English is an official language or widely spoken:
Nigeria: English is the official language and the language of education and business.
Ghana: English is the official language and the medium of instruction in schools.
Kenya: English is an official language alongside Swahili. It is used in government, education, and business.
South Africa: English is one of the 11 official languages and is widely used in education and business.
Uganda: English is the official language and is used in government and education.
Tanzania: English is used in government and education alongside Swahili.
Zimbabwe: English is the official language and is used in education and administration.
Zambia: English is the official language and is used in education, government, and media.
Malawi: English is the official language and is used in education and government.
Botswana: English is one of the official languages and is used in education and government.
Namibia: English is the official language and is used in education and administration.
Lesotho: English is one of the official languages and is used in education and government.
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): English is one of the official languages and is used in education and government.
Sierra Leone: English is the official language and is used in education and administration.
Liberia: English is the official language and is used in education and government.
The Gambia: English is the official language and is used in government and education.
Cameroon: English is one of the official languages in the anglophone regions of the country.
Niger: English is taught as a foreign language and is used in some educational institutions.
Rwanda: English is one of the official languages and is used in education and administration.
Mauritius: English is one of the official languages and is used in education and government.
Please note that while English is an official or widely spoken language in these countries, it may not be the primary language of communication for all citizens, as many African countries are linguistically diverse, with multiple languages spoken by different ethnic groups.
Is Ethiopia an English speaking country?
Ethiopia is not considered an English-speaking country in the same way as countries where English is the primary language of communication. While English is one of the foreign languages taught in Ethiopian schools and used in some educational and business contexts, it is not widely spoken as a first language by the majority of Ethiopians.
The primary languages spoken in Ethiopia are various indigenous languages, with Amharic being the most widely used as a lingua franca. Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia and serves as a means of communication among speakers of different ethnic languages. Additionally, Ethiopia is a multilingual country with numerous other languages and dialects spoken throughout its diverse regions.
So, while you may encounter people in Ethiopia who can speak English, especially in urban areas and within certain professional and educational settings, it is not considered an English-speaking country in the same way as countries where English is the dominant language.
Is Sudan an English speaking country?
Sudan is not typically considered an English-speaking country in the same way as countries where English is the primary language of communication. Arabic is the official language of Sudan and is widely spoken by the majority of the population. Additionally, Sudan is a linguistically diverse country with a multitude of ethnic groups, each with its own languages and dialects.
English is taught as a second language in Sudanese schools and is used in some educational, governmental, and business contexts, especially in urban areas and among certain professional groups. However, it is not the primary language of communication for the majority of the population.
In summary, while English is present and used in Sudan, it is not the dominant or primary language spoken by the general population, and Sudan is not typically classified as an English-speaking country.
In conclusion, Africa is home to a diverse range of languages, cultures, and traditions. Among this rich tapestry, several countries have adopted English as an official language or a widely spoken tongue. These English-speaking nations have embraced the language for various historical, educational, and administrative reasons.
From the bustling streets of Nigeria to the picturesque landscapes of Kenya and the vibrant cultures of Ghana and South Africa, English plays a pivotal role in bridging communication gaps and facilitating international relations in these countries.
References:
- Ruff, N. (2023, March 24). Why is English considered an important language to know especially in post-colonized nations? Language Unlimited.