In Africa, a vast continent with over 1.2 billion people and around 2,000 indigenous languages, the languages spoken are highly diverse and regionally varied. The main official languages used in government, education, and media across African countries are:
- English : Official in 23 countries, widely used especially in former British colonies.
- French : Official in 21 countries, prevalent mainly in West and Central Africa.
- Arabic : Official in 13 countries, dominant in North Africa and parts of the Horn of Africa.
- Portuguese : Official in 6 countries, mostly in parts of Southern Africa.
- Swahili : Official in 4 countries and recognized as an official language of the African Union; spoken by about 150 million people in East and Central Africa
Besides these, many African countries have their own indigenous languages used daily by the population. Some of the most widely spoken indigenous languages include:
- Swahili (Bantu language, East Africa)
- Hausa , Yoruba , Igbo (West Africa)
- Amharic (Ethiopia)
- Oromo (Horn of Africa)
- Fulani (West Africa)
- Berber (North Africa)
- Afrikaans (South Africa and Namibia), a language derived from Dutch settlers
Thus, Africa is multilingual with official languages often reflecting colonial history, while indigenous languages remain vital for cultural identity and everyday communication. The linguistic landscape is a blend of European colonial languages and a rich tapestry of native tongues spoken by millions across the continent.
