Discover in this hall, the 27 list of English speaking countries in Africa where English is an official language. Study how English is used across governance, education, and daily communication in various African nations.
List of English-Speaking Countries in Africa
Introduction
Africa is a linguistically rich continent with over 2,000 distinct languages, yet English stands out as one of the most widely used official languages across multiple African countries. Due to colonial history and global communication needs, many African nations have adopted English as an official or second language, especially for administration, legal systems, business, and education. In this post, we highlight all 27 African countries where English is officially recognized, and discuss the role of English in uniting ethnically diverse populations and facilitating international relations.
Table: English Speaking Countries in Africa (27 Total)
| S/N | Country | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botswana | English used in government and education |
| 2 | Cameroon | Official bilingual nation (English & French) |
| 3 | Eswatini (Swaziland) | English and Swazi are official |
| 4 | Eritrea | English used in schools; not sole official |
| 5 | Ethiopia | English is widely used in education |
| 6 | Gambia | English is the sole official language |
| 7 | Ghana | English is the primary official language |
| 8 | Kenya | English and Swahili are official languages |
| 9 | Lesotho | English and Sesotho are official |
| 10 | Liberia | English is the only official language |
| 11 | Malawi | English and Chichewa are official |
| 12 | Mauritius | English is official; French widely spoken |
| 13 | Namibia | English is the sole official language |
| 14 | Nigeria | English unites over 500 ethnic languages |
| 15 | Rwanda | English added as official with Kinyarwanda |
| 16 | Seychelles | English, French, and Seychellois Creole used |
| 17 | Sierra Leone | English is the official language |
| 18 | Somalia | Somali and English used officially |
| 19 | South Africa | Has 11 official languages including English |
| 20 | South Sudan | English is the only official language |
| 21 | Sudan | English and Arabic used in governance |
| 22 | Tanzania | English and Swahili are official |
| 23 | Uganda | English is the official language |
| 24 | Zambia | English is the only official language |
| 25 | Zimbabwe | English and 15 local languages are official |
| 26 | Mozambique | Portuguese official, but English widely used |
| 27 | Equatorial Guinea | English added in 2010 (with French & Spanish) |
Revision Questions on English Speaking Countries in Africa
- How many countries in Africa have English as an official language?
- What are the two official languages of Kenya?
- Which African country added English as an official language in 2010?
- Why is English considered important in multilingual African societies?
- Is English the only official language in South Africa?
- Name five African countries where English is the only official language.
- What role does English play in African education systems?
- Which country in Africa has 11 official languages including English?
- Identify two African island nations where English is an official language.
- Which East African country uses both English and Swahili as official languages?
- What is the official language status of English in Nigeria?
- How does colonial history explain the use of English in Africa?
- Name three countries in Southern Africa where English is an official language.
- In which West African country is English the only official language despite numerous local dialects?
- What is the official language arrangement in Cameroon?
- Which English-speaking country split from Sudan to become independent in 2011?
- Name the smallest English-speaking African country by land area.
- What are the official languages of Seychelles?
- How has English helped in unifying diverse linguistic groups in Africa?
- Name three African countries where English is used in schools but not the only official language.
READ ALSO – African Countries and their Official Languages (complete list)
Conclusion
English continues to play a vital role in the social, political, and economic development of many African countries. It serves not only as a lingua franca among diverse ethnic groups but also as a critical link to global communication and education. Whether in schools, courts, or parliaments, the use of English in these 27 African countries demonstrates the continent’s strategic embrace of a global language while still maintaining the richness of indigenous tongues. As globalization continues, the role of English in Africa is expected to grow stronger, fostering unity and international collaboration.