A wide variety of languages can be found in the African continent. With a total population of 1.34 billion people, this region is home to some 2000 languages. For those who enjoy the challenge of learning a new language, it’s a worthwhile endeavor. English is one of the many languages spoken in Africa, and there are several English Speaking Countries in Africa.
Communication is essential in today’s complicated and diverse environment. It’s impossible to ignore the importance of communication in today’s rapidly evolving language and demographic landscape. Communities and people can communicate with each other thanks to the power of language.
Top 10 English Speaking Countries in Africa
1. Uganda
In terms of African countries with the best English speakers, Uganda takes the top spot. There are 45 million people living in this landlocked country, with 29 million of them fluent in English, making it one of the most populous countries in the world. This African country, which gained its independence in 1962, is linguistically diverse, speaking 43 different languages.
Since the country’s independence, English has been the official language of Uganda. Subsequently, Swahili was recognized as a second official language in the area. There are still many people who speak English even though Luganda is now the official language of Uganda.
2. South Africa
This country, located in the southern hemisphere of Africa, is the continent’s second-best English-speaking nation. There are 11 official languages in the country, and several other dialects, such as Afrikaans and IsiZulu, are also widely spoken.
About 9.6 percent of South Africa’s total population, or 4.8 million individuals, are native English speakers. Outside the home, English is the second most commonly spoken language, accounting for the sixth most common.
3. Nigeria
There are more English speakers in Nigeria than in any other African country. There are 206 million people in the country, and 79 million of them can communicate in English. Approximately 53% of the overall population is made up of this group.
It is the official language of Nigerian politics and formal communication, Nigerian English, or Nigerian Standard English (NSE). While Nigerian Pidgin, a dialect of English, is used for more casual exchanges, British Sign Language is used for formal ones.
Nigeria’s national language is English. Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Fula, and English Creole are some of the other languages spoken by Nigerians. The majority of Nigerian languages are also written.
4. Kenya
The fourth best English-speaking country in Africa is this East African nation. There are 54 million people in this country, and each ethnic group has its own language. Although English is Kenya’s official language, there are an estimated 2.7 million individuals who can speak and understand it.
British rule, beginning in the late 1800s, is largely responsible for the country’s English-speaking population. It’s because of this that the British left a long-lasting impact and a sizable English-speaking populace in their wake.
English is the primary language used in Kenyan schools. Indigenous languages have existed in the region for a long time, despite Swahili and English being the two most commonly used languages.
5. Zambia
South-central Africa is home to the country of Zambia. The country has a population of 18 million, and English is its official language. Almost all of Zambia’s indigenous languages are Bantu languages, which is closely related to the Zulu language family.
Zambians use the English language for formal correspondence and business transactions. Nyanja is the primary local language, second only to English.
More than 70 languages and dialects are spoken in Zambia. Everyone can speak or understand English, and those who live in metropolitan areas can do so with fluency.
6. Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country in the southern section of Africa. Despite the fact that more people in the country speak Setswana, English is the official language. Estimates place the population of Botswana at 2 million, with English being spoken by 2.8% of the people living in the country.
Business and academic correspondence, as well as official correspondence, are conducted in this language. The people of Botswana speak 31 languages, all of which are spoken in the country.
7. Zimbabwe
A population of 14.8 million makes Zimbabwe the seventh-largest English-speaking country in Africa, according to a recent report from the African Union.
Even though just 5% of Zimbabwe’s overall population is fluent in English, almost 90% of the people can converse in the language at a basic level. Only the Seychelles (93 percent) has a higher percentage of native speakers.
Furthermore, while English is widely used throughout the country, Shona is the primary language of almost 70% of the people.
8. Malawi
Malawi is a country in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 19 million people. Only 26% of the people can speak English, despite it being the official language.
In Malawi, Chichewa is the official language, spoken by 57% of the country’s people. Besides Chinyanja, Chiyao, and Chitumbuka, there are a number of other languages spoken in the area.
9. Ghana
Ghana, a country in western Africa, is the 9th Most Populous Countries In Africa with a native English-speaking population. English is the official language and the lingua franca in a country with a population of 31 million. Although Ghanaians are fluent in more than a dozen languages, English is the de facto business and government language of the country.
Due to British colonialization in the region, English has taken the status of official language. The consequence is a heavy tone of pidgin English, which may be difficult for tourists to understand. Despite this, English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in Ghana, along with many others.
10. Rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked country in central Africa, with a population of just over 4 million people. Only 0.2 percent of the country’s 13 million residents are fluent English speakers. After Kinyarwanda and Swahili, it is the country’s third official language. Kinyarwanda is the most generally spoken and national language in the region, despite the fact that English is used for business transactions.
Conclusion
As a result of the continent’s stunning scenery and fauna, many businesses in the African region are interested in setting up shop there. Many African countries have adopted English as their official language, which may come as a pleasant surprise given that English is the world’s most widely spoken language. Allows for the expansion and growth of business in Africa.
Despite the fact that the African continent is home to a plethora of indigenous and native languages, English has managed to hold its own. This is because of the British Empire’s colonialization, which continues to this day.
However, whether you’re a businessman or a tourist, you won’t have any trouble getting around in Africa because English is widely spoken and understood by the majority of the population.
