Languages of Africa
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The number of languages natively spoken in Africa is variously estimated (depending on the delineation of language vs. dialect) at between 1,250 and 2,100,[1] and by some counts at over 3,000.[2] Nigeria alone has over 500 languages (according to SIL Ethnologue),[3] one of the greatest concentrations of linguistic diversity in the world. The languages of Africa belong to many distinct language families, among which the largest are:
- Niger–Congo, which include the large Atlantic-Congo and Bantu branches in West, Central, Southeast and Southern Africa.
- Afroasiatic languages are spread throughout Western Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa and parts of the Sahel.
- Saharan, Nilotic and Central Sudanic languages (previously grouped under the hypothetical Nilo-Saharan macro-family), are present in East Africa and Sahel.
- Austronesian languages are spoken in Madagascar and parts of the Comoros.
- Khoe–Kwadi languages are spoken mostly in Namibia and Botswana.
- Indo-European languages, while not indigenous to Africa, are spoken in South Africa and Namibia (Afrikaans, English, German) and are used as lingua francas in Liberia and the former colonies of the United Kingdom (English), former colonies of France and of Belgium (French), former colonies of Portugal (Portuguese), former colonies of Italy (Italian), former colonies of Spain (Spanish) and the current Spanish territories of Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands and the current French territories of Mayotte and La Réunion.
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There are several other small families and language isolates, as well as creoles and languages that have yet to be classified. In addition, Africa has a wide variety of sign languages, many of which are language isolates.
Around a hundred languages are widely used for interethnic communication. These include Arabic, Swahili, Amharic, Oromo, Igbo, Somali, Hausa, Manding, Fulani and Yoruba, which are spoken as a second (or non-first) language by millions of people. Although many African languages are used on the radio, in newspapers and in primary-school education, and some of the larger ones are considered national languages, only a few are official at the national level. In Sub-Saharan Africa, most official languages at the national level tend to be colonial languages such as French, Portuguese, or English.[4][5][6]
The African Union declared 2006 the "Year of African Languages".[7]
Language groups
Summarize
Perspective
Most languages natively spoken in Africa belong to one of the two large language families that dominate the continent: Afroasiatic, or Niger–Congo. Another hundred belong to smaller families such as Ubangian, Nilotic, Saharan, and the various families previously grouped under the umbrella term Khoisan. In addition, the languages of Africa include several unclassified languages and sign languages.
The earliest Afroasiatic languages are associated with the Capsian culture, the Saharan languages are linked with the Khartoum Mesolithic/Neolithic cultures. Niger-Congo languages are correlated with the west and central African hoe-based farming traditions and the Khoisan languages are matched with the south and southeastern Wilton culture.[8]
Afroasiatic languages
Afroasiatic languages are spoken throughout North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia and parts of the Sahel. There are approximately 375 Afroasiatic languages spoken by over 400 million people. The main subfamilies of Afroasiatic are Berber, Chadic, Cushitic, Omotic, Egyptian and Semitic. The Afroasiatic Urheimat is uncertain. The family's most extensive branch, the Semitic languages (including Arabic, Amharic and Hebrew among others), is the only branch of Afroasiatic that is spoken outside Africa.[9]
Some of the most widely spoken Afroasiatic languages include Arabic (a Semitic language, and a recent arrival from West Asia), Somali (Cushitic), Berber (Berber), Hausa (Chadic), Amharic (Semitic) and Oromo (Cushitic). Of the world's surviving language families, Afroasiatic has the longest written history, as both the Akkadian language of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egyptian are members.
Nilo-Saharan languages
Nilo-Saharan languages are a proposed grouping of some one hundred diverse languages. Genealogical linkage between these languages has failed to be conclusively demonstrated, and support for the proposal is sparse among linguists.[10][11] The languages share some unusual morphology, but if they are related, most of the branches must have undergone major restructuring since diverging from their common ancestor.[citation needed]
This hypothetical family would reach an expanse that stretches from the Nile Valley to northern Tanzania and into Nigeria and DR Congo, with the Songhay languages along the middle reaches of the Niger River as a geographic outlier. The inclusion of the Songhay languages is questionable, and doubts have been raised over the Koman, Gumuz and Kadu branches.[citation needed]
Some of the better known Nilo-Saharan languages are Kanuri, Fur, Songhay, Nobiin and the widespread Nilotic family, which includes the Luo, Dinka and Maasai. Most Nilo-Saharan languages are tonal, as are Niger-Congo languages.[citation needed]
Niger–Congo languages
Central and Eastern Sudanese
Central Bantoid
Eastern Bantoid
Guinean
Western Bantoid
Nilo-Saharan:
The Niger–Congo languages constitute the largest language family spoken in West Africa and perhaps the world in terms of the number of languages.[citation needed] One of its salient features is an elaborate noun class system with grammatical concord. A large majority of languages of this family are tonal such as Yoruba and Igbo, Akan and Ewe language. A major branch of Niger–Congo languages is the Bantu phylum, which has a wider speech area than the rest of the family (see Niger–Congo B (Bantu) in the map above).
The Niger–Kordofanian language family, joining Niger–Congo with the Kordofanian languages of south-central Sudan, was proposed in the 1950s by Joseph Greenberg. Today, linguists often use "Niger–Congo" to refer to this entire family, including Kordofanian as a subfamily. One reason for this is that it is not clear whether Kordofanian was the first branch to diverge from rest of Niger–Congo. Mande has been claimed to be equally or more divergent. Niger–Congo is generally accepted by linguists, though a few question the inclusion of Mande and Dogon, and there is no conclusive evidence for the inclusion of Ubangian.
Other language families
Several languages spoken in Africa belong to language families concentrated or originating outside the African continent.
Austronesian
Malagasy belongs to the Austronesian languages and is the westernmost branch of the family. It is the national and co-official language of Madagascar, and a Malagasy dialect called Bushi is also spoken in Mayotte.
The ancestors of the Malagasy people migrated to Madagascar around 1,500 years ago from Southeast Asia, more specifically the island of Borneo. The origins of how they arrived to Madagascar remains a mystery, however the Austronesians are known for their seafaring culture. Despite the geographical isolation, Malagasy still has strong resemblance to Barito languages especially the Ma'anyan language of southern Borneo.
With more than 20 million speakers, Malagasy is one of the most widely spoken of the Austronesian languages.
Indo-European
Afrikaans is Indo-European, as is most of the vocabulary of most African creole languages. Afrikaans evolved from the Dutch vernacular[12][13] of South Holland (Hollandic dialect)[14][15] spoken by the mainly Dutch settlers of what is now South Africa, where it gradually began to develop distinguishing characteristics in the course of the 18th century, including the loss of verbal conjugation (save for 5 modal verbs), as well as grammatical case and gender.[16] Most Afrikaans speakers live in South Africa. In Namibia it is the lingua franca. Overall 14 to 21 million people are estimated to speak Afrikaans.
Since the colonial era, Indo-European languages such as Afrikaans, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish have held official status in many countries, and are widely spoken, generally as lingua francas. (See African French and African Portuguese.) Additionally, languages like French, and Portuguese have become native languages in various countries.
French has become native in the urban areas of the DRC,[17] and Gabon.[18]
German was once used in Germany's colonies there from the late 1800s until World War I, when Britain and France took over and revoked German's official status. Despite this, German is still spoken in Namibia, mostly among the white population. Although it lost its official status in the 1990s, it has been redesignated as a national language. Indian languages such as Gujarati are spoken by South Asian expatriates exclusively. In earlier historical times, other Indo-European languages could be found in various parts of the continent, such as Old Persian and Greek in Egypt, Latin and Vandalic in North Africa and Modern Persian in the Horn of Africa.
Small families
The three small Khoisan families of southern Africa have not been shown to be closely related to any other major language family. In addition, there are various other families that have not been demonstrated to belong to one of these families. The classifications below follow Glottolog.
- Mande, some 70 languages, including the major languages of Mali and Guinea; these are generally thought to be divergent Niger–Congo, but debate persists
- Ubangian, some 70 languages, centered on the languages of the Central African Republic; may be Niger–Congo
- Te-Ne-Omotic, some 20 languages, previously classified under Afro-Asiatic, spoken in Ethiopia
- Khoe-Kwadi, around 10 languages, the primary family of Khoisan languages of Namibia and Botswana
- Surmic, some 11 languages, previously classified within either Sudanic or Nilo-Saharan
- Kx'a, around five languages, with various dialects, spoken in Southern Africa
- South Omotic, around five languages; previously classified within Afro-Asiatic, spoken in Ethiopia
- Tuu, or Taa-ǃKwi, two surviving languages
- Hadza, an isolate of Tanzania
- Bangime, a likely isolate of Mali
- Jalaa, a likely isolate of Nigeria
- Sandawe, an isolate of Tanzania
- Laal, a possible isolate of Chad
Khoisan is a term of convenience covering some 30 languages spoken by around 300,000–400,000 people. There are five Khoisan families that have not been shown to be related to each other: Khoe, Tuu and Kx'a, which are found mainly in Namibia and Botswana, as well as Sandawe and Hadza of Tanzania, which are language isolates. A striking feature of Khoisan languages, and the reason they are often grouped together, is their use of click consonants. Some neighbouring Bantu languages (notably Xhosa and Zulu) have clicks as well, but these were adopted from Khoisan languages. The Khoisan languages are also tonal.
Creole languages
Due partly to its multilingualism and its colonial past, a substantial proportion of the world's creole languages are to be found in Africa. Some are based on Indo-European languages (e.g. Krio from English in Sierra Leone and the very similar Pidgin in Nigeria, Ghana and parts of Cameroon; Cape Verdean Creole in Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau Creole in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, all from Portuguese; Seychellois Creole in the Seychelles and Mauritian Creole in Mauritius, both from French); some are based on Arabic (e.g. Juba Arabic in the southern Sudan, or Nubi in parts of Uganda and Kenya); some are based on local languages (e.g. Sango, the main language of the Central African Republic); while in Cameroon a creole based on French, English and local African languages known as Camfranglais has started to become popular.
Unclassified languages
A fair number of unclassified languages are reported in Africa. Many remain unclassified simply for lack of data; among the better-investigated ones that continue to resist easy classification are:
- possibly Afroasiatic: Ongota, Gomba
- possibly Nilo-Saharan: Shabo
- possibly Niger–Congo: Jalaa, Mbre, Bayot
- unknown: Laal, Mpre
Of these, Jalaa is perhaps the most likely to be an isolate.
Less-well investigated languages include Irimba, Luo, Mawa, Rer Bare (possibly Bantu languages), Bete (evidently Jukunoid), Bung (unclear), Kujarge (evidently Chadic), Lufu (Jukunoid), Meroitic (possibly Afroasiatic), Oropom (possibly spurious) and Weyto (evidently Cushitic). Several of these are extinct, and adequate comparative data is thus unlikely to be forthcoming. Hombert & Philippson (2009)[19] list a number of African languages that have been classified as language isolates at one point or another. Many of these are simply unclassified, but Hombert & Philippson believe Africa has about twenty language families, including isolates. Beside the possibilities listed above, there are:
- Aasax or Aramanik (Tanzania) (South Cushitic? contains non-Cushitic lexicon)
- Imeraguen (Mauritania) – Hassaniyya Arabic restructured on an Azêr (Soninke) base
- Kara (Fer?) (Central African Republic)
- Oblo (Cameroon) (Adamawa? Extinct?)
Roger Blench notes a couple additional possibilities:
Below is a list of language isolates and otherwise unclassified languages in Africa, from Vossen & Dimmendaal (2020:434):[20]
Sign languages
Many African countries have national sign languages, such as Algerian Sign Language, Tunisian Sign Language, Ethiopian Sign Language. Other sign languages are restricted to small areas or single villages, such as Adamorobe Sign Language in Ghana. Tanzania has seven, one for each of its schools for the Deaf, all of which are discouraged. Not much is known, since little has been published on these languages
Sign language systems extant in Africa include the Paget Gorman Sign System used in Namibia and Angola, the Sudanese Sign languages used in Sudan and South Sudan, the Arab Sign languages used across the Arab Mideast, the Francosign languages used in Francophone Africa and other areas such as Ghana and Tunisia, and the Tanzanian Sign languages used in Tanzania.
Language in Africa
Summarize
Perspective
Throughout the long multilingual history of the African continent, African languages have been subject to phenomena like language contact, language expansion, language shift and language death. A case in point is the Bantu expansion, in which Bantu-speaking peoples expanded over most of Sub-Equatorial Africa, intermingling with Khoi-San speaking peoples from much of Southeast Africa and Southern Africa and other peoples from Central Africa. Another example is the Arab expansion in the 7th century, which led to the extension of Arabic from its homeland in Asia, into much of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Trade languages are another age-old phenomenon in the African linguistic landscape. Cultural and linguistic innovations spread along trade routes and languages of peoples dominant in trade developed into languages of wider communication (lingua franca). Of particular importance in this respect are Berber (North and West Africa), Jula (western West Africa), Fulfulde (West Africa), Hausa (West Africa), Lingala (Congo), Swahili (Southeast Africa), Somali (Horn of Africa) and Arabic (North Africa and Horn of Africa).
After gaining independence, many African countries, in the search for national unity, selected one language, generally the former Indo-European colonial language, to be used in government and education. However, in recent years, African countries have become increasingly supportive of maintaining linguistic diversity. Language policies that are being developed nowadays are mostly aimed at multilingualism. This presents a methodological complication when collecting data in Africa and limited literature exists. An analysis of Afrobarometer public opinion survey data of 36 countries suggested that survey interviewers and respondents could engage in various linguistic behaviors, such as code-switching during the survey.[21] Moreover, some African countries have been considering removing their official former Indo-European colonial languages, like Mali and Burkina Faso which removed French as an official language in 2024.[22][23]
Official languages
other languages |
- Afroasiatic
- Berber:
- Cushitic:
- Semitic:
- Austronesian
- Ngbandi creole
- Sango in the Central African Republic
- French Creole
- Indo-European
- Afrikaans in South Africa
- English in Ghana, Gambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, Liberia, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Namibia, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Mauritius.
- French in Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, and Togo.[28]
- Portuguese in Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea.[29]
- Spanish in Equatorial Guinea[30]
- Niger-Congo
- Bambara in Mali[25]
- Bobo in Mali[25]
- Bozo in Mali[25]
- Chewa in Malawi and Zimbabwe
- Comorian in the Comoros
- Dogon in Mali[25]
- Fula in Mali[25]
- Kassonke in Mali[25]
- Kongo in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo
- Kinyarwanda in Rwanda
- Kirundi in Burundi
- Maninke in Mali[25]
- Minyanka in Mali[25]
- Senufo in Mali[25]
- Sesotho in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Setswana in Botswana and South Africa
- Shona, Sindebele in Zimbabwe
- Sepedi in South Africa
- Soninke in Mali[25]
- Ndebele in South Africa[31]
- Swahili in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda
- Swati in Eswatini (Swaziland) and South Africa
- Wolof in Senegal
- Tsonga in South Africa
- Venda in South Africa
- Xhosa in South Africa
- Zulu in South Africa
- Nilo-Saharan
| Language | Family | Official status per country |
|---|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Indo-European | South Africa |
| Amharic | Afroasiatic | Ethiopia |
| Arabic | Afroasiatic | Algeria, Comoros, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, |
| Berber | Afroasiatic | Algeria, Morocco, Libya |
| Chewa | Niger-Congo | Malawi, Zimbabwe |
| Comorian | Niger-Congo | Comoros |
| Kikongo | Niger-Congo | Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo |
| Kinyarwanda | Niger-Congo | Rwanda |
| Kirundi | Niger-Congo | Burundi |
| Malagasy | Austronesian | Madagascar |
| Ndebele | Niger-Congo | South Africa |
| Oromo | Afroasiatic | Ethiopia[32][33][34] |
| Sango | Ngbandi creole | Central African Republic |
| Sepedi | Niger-Congo | South Africa |
| Sesotho | Niger-Congo | Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe |
| Setswana | Niger-Congo | Botswana, South Africa |
| Seychelles Creole | French Creole | Seychelles |
| Shona | Niger-Congo | Zimbabwe |
| Sindebele | Niger-Congo | Zimbabwe |
| Somali | Afroasiatic | Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya |
| Swahili | Niger-Congo | Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda |
| Swati | Niger-Congo | Eswatini, South Africa |
| Tigrinya | Afroasiatic | Ethiopia, Eritrea |
| Tsonga | Niger-Congo | Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa |
| Venda | Niger-Congo | South Africa, Zimbabwe |
| Xhosa | Niger-Congo | South Africa |
| Zulu | Niger-Congo | South Africa |
Cross-border languages
The colonial borders established by European powers following the Berlin Conference in 1884–1885 divided a great many ethnic groups and African language speaking communities. This can cause divergence of a language on either side of a border (especially when the official languages are different), for example, in orthographic standards. Some notable cross-border languages include Berber (which stretches across much of North Africa and some parts of West Africa), Kikongo (that stretches across northern Angola, western and coastal Democratic Republic of the Congo, and western and coastal Republic of the Congo), Somali (stretches across most of the Horn of Africa), Swahili (spoken in the African Great Lakes region), Fula (in the Sahel and West Africa) and Luo (in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan).
Some prominent Africans such as former Malian president and former Chairman of the African Commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré, have referred to cross-border languages as a factor that can promote African unity.[35]
Language change and planning
Language is not static in Africa any more than on other continents.[citation needed] In addition to the (likely modest) impact of borders, there are also cases of dialect levelling (such as in Igbo and probably many others), koinés (such as N'Ko and possibly Runyakitara) and emergence of new dialects (such as Sheng). In some countries, there are official efforts to develop standardized language versions.
There are also many less widely spoken languages that may be considered endangered languages.
Demographics
Of the 1 billion Africans (in 2009), about 17 percent speak an Arabic dialect.[citation needed] About 10 percent speak Swahili,[citation needed] the lingua franca of Southeast Africa; about 5 percent speak a Berber dialect;[citation needed] and about 5 percent speak Hausa, which serves as a lingua franca in much of the Sahel. Other large West African languages are Yoruba, Igbo, Akan and Fula. Major Horn of Africa languages are Somali, Amharic and Oromo. Lingala is important in Central Africa. Important South African languages are Sotho, Tswana, Pedi, Venda, Tsonga, Swazi, Southern Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans.[36]
French, English, and Portuguese are important languages in Africa due to colonialism. About 320 million,[37][38] 240 million and 35 million Africans, respectively, speak them as either native or secondary languages. Portuguese has become the national language of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, and Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique.
Linguistic features
Summarize
Perspective
Some linguistic features are particularly common among languages spoken in Africa, whereas others are less common. Such shared traits probably are not due to a common origin of all African languages. Instead, some may be due to language contact (resulting in borrowing) and specific idioms and phrases may be due to a similar cultural background.
Phonological
Some widespread phonetic features include:
- certain types of consonants, such as implosives (/ɓa/), ejectives (/kʼa/), the labiodental flap and in southern Africa, clicks (/ǂa/, /ᵑǃa/). True implosives are rare outside Africa, and clicks and the flap almost unheard of.
- doubly articulated labial-velar stops like /k͡pa/ and /ɡ͡ba/ are found in places south of the Sahara.
- prenasalized consonants, like /mpa/ and /ŋɡa/, are widespread in Africa but not common outside it.
- sequences of stops and fricatives at the beginnings of words, such as /fsa/, /pta/ and /dt͡sk͡xʼa/.
- nasal stops which only occur with nasal vowels, such as [ba] vs. [mã] (but both [pa] and [pã]), especially in West Africa.
- vowels contrasting an advanced or retracted tongue, commonly called "tense" and "lax".
- simple tone systems which are used for grammatical purposes.
Sounds that are relatively uncommon in African languages include uvular consonants, diphthongs and front rounded vowels
Tonal languages are found throughout the world but are especially common in Africa - in fact, there are far more tonal than non-tonal languages in Africa. Both the Nilo-Saharan and the Khoi-San phyla are fully tonal. The large majority of the Niger–Congo languages are also tonal. Tonal languages are also found in the Omotic, Chadic and South & East Cushitic branches of Afroasiatic. The most common type of tonal system opposes two tone levels, High (H) and Low (L). Contour tones do occur, and can often be analysed as two or more tones in succession on a single syllable. Tone melodies play an important role, meaning that it is often possible to state significant generalizations by separating tone sequences ("melodies") from the segments that bear them. Tonal sandhi processes like tone spread, tone shift, downstep and downdrift are common in African languages.
Syntactic
Widespread syntactical structures include the common use of adjectival verbs and the expression of comparison by means of a verb 'to surpass'. The Niger–Congo languages have large numbers of genders (noun classes) which cause agreement in verbs and other words. Case, tense and other categories may be distinguished only by tone. Auxiliary verbs are also widespread among African languages; the fusing of subject markers and TAM/polarity auxiliaries into what are known as tense pronouns are more common in auxiliary verb constructions in African languages than in most other parts of the world.[39]
Semantic
Quite often, only one term is used for both animal and meat; the word nama or nyama for animal/meat is particularly widespread in otherwise widely divergent African languages.[citation needed]
Demographics
Summarize
Perspective
The following is a table displaying the number of speakers of given languages within Africa:
| Language | Family | Native speakers (L1) | Official status per country |
|---|---|---|---|
| ǂKxʼaoǁʼae | Kxʼa | 5,000 (2003)[40] | Native to Namibia and Botswana |
| ǂʼAmkoe | Kxʼa | 20–50 Western ǂʼAmkoe (2015)
unknown number Eastern ǂʼAmkoe[41] |
Native to Botswana |
| Abon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 800 (1990)[42] | Native to Cameroon |
| Abron | Niger–Congo | 1,393,000 (2013)[43] | Native to Ghana and Ivory Coast |
| Acheron | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 20,000 (2006)
9,800 in home area (2006)[44] |
Native to Sudan |
| Adara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 300,000 (2011)[45] | Native to Nigeria |
| Afar | Afroasiatic | 2,500,000 (2019–2022)[46] | Official in Ethiopia
Recognised minority language in Djibouti and Eritrea, Native to Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia |
| Afrikaans | Indo-European | 7,200,000 (2011)[47] | National language in Namibia, co-official in South Africa |
| Aghem | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 27,000 (2000)[48] | Native to Cameroon |
| Aiki | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 19,000 Kibet (1983)
43,000 Runga (1993–1996)[49] |
Native to Chad and Central African Republic |
| Aja | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 200 (1993)[50] | Native to South Sudan and Central African Republic |
| Aka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,000 (1986–1996)[51] | Native to Central African Republic and Republic of Congo |
| Akan | Niger–Congo | 8,900,000 (2013)[52] | None. Government sponsored language of Ghana |
| Ambo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000 or fewer (undated)[53] | Native to Nigeria |
| Amdang | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 170,000 (2024)[54] | Native to Chad and Sudan |
| Ambele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,000 (2005)[55] | Native to Cameroon |
| Amharic | Afroasiatic | 35,000,000 (2020)[56] | Ethiopia |
| Amira | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,100 (1984)[57] | Native to Sudan |
| Anaang | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,900,000 (2020)[58] | Native to Nigeria |
| Áncá | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 300 Áncá (2006)[59] | Native to Cameroon |
| Asoa | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 26,000 (2000)[60] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Atsam | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,000 (1982)[61] | Native to Nigeria |
| Arabic | Afroasiatic | 150,000,000[62] but with separate mutually unintelligible varieties | Algeria, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania (Zanzibar), Tunisia |
| Aringa | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 495,000 (2014)[63] | Native to Uganda |
| Avokaya | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 100,000 (1989–2017)[64] | Native to South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Awing | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 19,000 (2001)[65] | Native to Cameroon |
| Baba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2005)[66] | Native to Cameroon |
| Babanki | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 39,000 (2011)[67] | Native to Cameroon |
| Baca | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,500 (2007)[68] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bacama | Afroasiatic | 300,000 (2020)[69] | Native to Nigeria |
| Bade | Afroasiatic | 360,000 (2020)[70] | Native to Nigeria |
| Baka | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 60,000 (2017)[71] | Native to South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Barambu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 26,000 (1990)[72] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bariba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,100,000 (1995–2021)[73] | Recognized in Benin
Native to Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo |
| Bala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 60,000 Lobala (2000)[74]
21,000 Boko[date missing][75] |
Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Balo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,200 (2000)[76] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bamali | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,800 (2008)[77] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bambara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,200,000 (2012)[78] | Official in Mali |
| Bambassi | Afroasiatic | 2,300 (2011)[79] | Native to Ethiopia |
| Bambalang | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 29,000 (2008)[80] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bamukumbit | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000 (2008)[81] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bamum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 420,000 (2005)[82] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Bamwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 20,000 (1983)[83] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bangala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | A few[date missing][84] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo |
| Bangi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 120,000 (2000)[85] | Native to Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bangolan | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 14,000 (2011)[86] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bassari | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 31,000 (2017)[87] | Native to Guinea and Senegal |
| Baṭḥari | Afroasiatic | 16 (2016)[88] | Native to Oman |
| Batu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000[date missing][89] | Native to Nigeria |
| Bebe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,600 (2008)[90] | Native to Cameroon |
| Beba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2002)[91] | Native to Cameroon |
| Beli | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 65,000 (2009) | Native to South Sudan |
| Bemba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,100,000 (2000–2010)[92] | Recognized minority in Zambia
Native to Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, andTanzania |
| Bembe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (2007)[93] | Native to Republic of Congo |
| Bembe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 250,000 in DRC (1991)[94] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo andTanzania |
| Berber | Afroasiatic | 16,000,000[95] (estimated) (including separate mutually unintelligible varieties) | Morocco, Algeria |
| Berta | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 380,000 (2006–2007)[96] | Native to Sudan and Ethiopia |
| Besme | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,200 (1993)[97] | Native to Chad |
| Bhaca | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to South Africa |
| Bhojpuri | Indo-European | 65,300 (2011)[98] | Native to Mauritius |
| Bina | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,000 (2000)[99] | Native to Nigeria |
| Binza | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (1986)[100] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Birri | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 200 (1996)[101] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Biseni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,800 (1977)[102] | Native to Nigeria |
| Bissa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 590,000 (1999–2003)[103] | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo |
| Bitare | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 52,000 (2000–2003)[104] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Bobo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 340,000 (1995–2021)[105] | Native to Burkina Faso and Mali |
| Bole | Afroasiatic | 250,000 (2023)[106] | Native to Nigeria |
| Bole | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,000 (2004)[107] | Native to Republic of Congo |
| Bolon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 23,000 (1998)[108] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Bomboli–Bozaba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1983–1986)[109] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bomboma | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 23,000 (1983)[110] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bomitaba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 9,800 (2000)[111] | Native to Republic of Congo and Central African Republic |
| Bomu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 320,000-380,000 (1991-2022)[112] | Native to Burkina Faso and Mali |
| Bongili | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000 (2018)[113] | Native to Republic of Congo |
| Bongo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 21,000 (2017)[114] | Native to South Sudan |
| Bonjo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000[date missing][115] | Native to Republic of Congo |
| Bono | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,400,000 (2013)[116] | Native to Ghana and Ivory Coast |
| Bono | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200,000 (2006)[117] | Native to Nigeria |
| Boon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 60 (2000)[118] | Native to Somalia |
| Boko | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (2012)[119] | Native to Benin, Nigeria |
| Boze | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Nigeria |
| Bozo | Mande | 230,000 (apart from Tieyaxo) in Mali (2003–2009)[120] | Spoken in Mali |
| Bube | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 51,000 (2011)[121] | Recognized minority in Equatorial Guinea and Bioko Island
Native to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon |
| Budza | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 230,000 (1985)[122] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Buli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 170,000 (2013)[123] | Native to Ghana |
| Bukusu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,400,000 (2009)[124] | Native to Kenya |
| Bulu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 860,000 (2007)[125] | Native to Cameroon |
| Bum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 21,000 (2001)[126] | Native to Cameroon |
| Buru–Angwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000 speakers of Buru; potentially substantially more of Angwe (uncited)[127] | Native to Nigeria |
| Busa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 110,000 (2012)[128] | Native to Benin, Nigeria |
| Bushong | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 160,000 (2000)[129] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Buu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100–200 (2012)[130] | Native to Cameroon |
| Buyu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (2002)[131] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Bwela | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,400 (2002)[132] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Caka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,000 (1983)[133] | Native to Cameroon |
| Cape Verdean Creole | Portuguese Creole | 871,000 (2017)[134] | National language in Cape Verde |
| Cebaara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 860,000 (1993)[135] | Native to Ivory Coast |
| Central Banda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 580,000 (1984–1996)[136] | Native to Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan |
| Chewa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,000,000 (2007)[137] | Malawi, Zimbabwe |
| Chopi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,100,000 (2017)[138] | Native to Mozambique |
| Chung | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,400 (2001)[139] | Native to Cameroon |
| Comorian | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,100,000 (2007-2011)[140] | Comoros |
| Dagaare | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,300,000 (1999–2021)[141] | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Ivory Coast |
| Dagbani | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,200,000 (2013)[142] | Native to Ghana, Togo |
| Dangme | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,020,000 (2013)[143] | Ghana |
| Daza | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 700,000 (2019–2021)[144] | Native to Chad and Niger |
| Dciriku | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 82,000 (2004–2018)[145] | Native to Namibia, Botswana and Angola |
| Dendi | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 440,000 (2000-2021)[146] | Native to Benin, Niger, and Nigeria |
| Dengese | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,600 (2000)[147] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Defaka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200 (2001)[148] | Spoken in Nigeria |
| Dinka | Nilo-Saharan | 4,238,400 (2007)[149] | South Sudan |
| Djimini | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 96,000 (1993)[150] | Spoken in Ivory Coast |
| Doghose | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 20,000 (1991)[151] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Dogoso | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 9,000 (1999)[152] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast |
| Doko | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Dongo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | Unknown | Native to South Sudan |
| Dyula | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,600,000 (2012–2021)[153] | Native to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast |
| Dzando | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,000 (1983)[154] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Dzodinka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,600 (2000)[155] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Ebira | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,200,000 (2020)[156] | Native to Nigeria |
| Ekoka ǃKung | Kxʼa | 16,500 (2013)[157] | Native to South Africa, Namibia, and Angola |
| Eman | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 800 (1990)[158] | Native to Cameroon |
| English | Indo-European | 6,500,000[159] (estimated) | See List of countries and territories where English is an official language |
| Esimbi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 34,800 (2005)[160] | Native to Cameroon |
| Eton | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,500,000 (2020)[161] | Native to Cameroon |
| Evant | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (1996)[162] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Ewondo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 580,000 (1982)[163] | Native to Cameroon |
| Fang | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000,000 (2006–2013)[164] | Recognized minority in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon
Native to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Fang | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,000 (2011)[165] | Native to Cameroon |
| Fanji | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 17,000 (2008)[166] | Native to Cameroon |
| Farefare | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 660,000 (1991–2013)[167] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Feʼfeʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 140,000 (2005)[168] | Native to Cameroon |
| Fio | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown but extant (2011-2015)[169][170] | Native to Cameroon |
| Fon | Niger–Congo | 2,300,000 (2019–2021)[171] | Benin |
| Fongoro | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | a few elders (2007)[172] | Native to Chad |
| French | Indo-European | 1,200,000[173] (estimated) | See List of territorial entities where French is an official language and African French |
| Fulani | Niger–Congo | 67,000,000 (2014–2021)[174] | Northern Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Northern Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, northeastern Nigeria, Southern Niger, and Senegal |
| Fungor | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,700 (1984)[175] | Native to Sudan |
| Fur | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 790,000 (2004–2023)[176] | Native to Chad and Sudan |
| Furu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 16,000 (1984–1996)[177] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Fut | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (2009)[178] | Native to Cameroon |
| Fwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000[date missing][179] | Native to Namibia and Zambia |
| Gǀui | Khoe–Kwadi | 1,500 (2013)[180] | Native to Botswana |
| Ga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 745,000 (2016)[181] | Ghana |
| German | Indo-European | National language of Namibia, special status in South Africa | |
| Gendza | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 43,000 (1986)[182] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Gengele Creole | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Geme | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 550 (1996)[183] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Ghomalaʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 350,000 (2005)[184] | Native to Cameroon |
| Gikuyu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,100,000[185] | Spoken in Kenya |
| Goundo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30 (1998)[186] | Native to Chad |
| Gourmanché | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,500,000 (2012–2021)[187] | Native to Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo |
| Gumuz | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 160,000 in Ethiopia (2007)
88,000 in Sudan (2017)[188] |
Spoken in Ethiopia and Sudan |
| Gwari | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,840,000 (2020)[189] | Native to Nigeria |
| Gyong | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2000)[190] | Native to Nigeria |
| Hakaona | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Angola and Namibia |
| Hanga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,800 (2003)[191] | Native to Ghana |
| Ḥarsusi | Afroasiatic | 600 (2011)[192] | Native to Oman |
| Hassaniya Arabic | Afroasiatic | 5,200,000 (2014–2021)[193] | Mali, Recognized in Morocco |
| Hausa | Afroasiatic | 54,000,000 (2021–2023)[194] | Recognized in Nigeria, Ghana, and Niger |
| Heiban | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,000 (1984)[195] | Native to Sudan |
| Hendo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (1982)[196] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Herero | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 250,000 (2015–2018)[197] | Native to Namibia, Botswana and Angola |
| Hindi | Indo-European | Spoken in Mauritius | |
| Hlubi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to South Africa |
| Hõne | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,000 (1999)[198] | Native to Nigeria |
| Hun-Saare | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 73,000 (1985)[199] | Native to Nigeria |
| Humburi Senni | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 81,000 (1999–2021)[200] | Spoken in Burkina Faso, and Mali |
| Hyam | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 300,000 (2014)[201] | Native to Nigeria |
| Ibibio | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,300,000 (2020)[202] | Native to Nigeria |
| Iceve-Maci | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000 (1990)[203] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Idun | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 78,000 (2012)[204] | Native to Nigeria |
| Igala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,600,000 (2020)[205] | Native to Nigeria |
| Igbo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 31,000,000 (2020)[206] | Native to Nigeria |
| Ik | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 14,000 (2014)[207] | Native to Uganda |
| Ila | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 106,000 (2010)[208] | Native to Zambia |
| Imraguen | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 530 (2006)[209] | Native to Mauritania |
| Ipulo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,500 (1990)[210] | Native to Cameroon |
| Isu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000 (1993)[211] | Native to Cameroon |
| Iyive | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,000 (1996)[212] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Izon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,400,000 (2020)[213] | Spoken in Nigeria |
| Italian | Indo-European | Recognized in Eritrea and Somalia | |
| Jagham | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 120,000 (2000)[214] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Jahanka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (2017–2022)[215] | Native to Guinea |
| Jarawa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 250,000 (2006–2011)[216] | Native to Nigeria |
| Jelkung | Afro-Asiatic | 1,300 (2000)[217] | Native to Chad |
| Jiba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,000 (1977)[218] | Native to Nigeria |
| Jju | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 600,000 (2020)[219] | Native to Nigeria |
| Juǀʼhoan | Kxʼa | 4,000 (2003)[220] | Native to Namibia and Botswana |
| Juba Arabic | Arabic-based creole | 250,000 (2020)[221] | Native to South Sudan |
| Jukun Takum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,400 (2000)[222] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Jur Modo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 180,000 (2017)[223] | Native to South Sudan |
| Kabalai | Afro-Asiatic | 18,000 (1993)[224] | Native to Chad |
| Kadugli | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 75,000 (2004)[225] | Native to Sudan |
| Kamara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2003)[226] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Kanga | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 17,000 (2022)[227] | Native to Sudan |
| Kalabari | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 258,000 (2006)[228] | Native to Nigeria |
| Kalenjin | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 6,600,000[citation needed] | Native to Kenya and Uganda |
| Kanembu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 880,000 (2019)[229] | Native to Chad |
| Kantosi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,300 (2020)[230] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Kanuri | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 9,600,000 (1993–2021)[231] | Native to Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria |
| Kar | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 40,000 (1995)[232] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Karanga | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 10,000 (1999)[233] | Native to Chad |
| Kasena | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 250,000 (1998–2004)[234] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Kassonke | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,500,000 (2009–2022)[235] | Recognized in Mali |
| Katla | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 Julud (2009)[236]
Possibly 14,000 Katla (1984)[237] |
Native to Sudan |
| Keiga | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 6,100 (1984)[238] | Native to Sudan |
| Kemezung | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,540 (2008)[239] | Native to Cameroon |
| Kendeje | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 1,900 (2000)[240] | Native to Chad |
| Kele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 14,000 (2000–2007)[241] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon |
| Kele-Foma | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 160,000 (1980)[242] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Keliko | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 42,500 (1989–2018)[243] | Native to South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Kelo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 200 (2009)[244] | Native to Sudan |
| Kgalagadi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 65,400 (2015)[245] | Native to Botswana |
| Khwe | Khoe–Kwadi | 8,000 (2011)[246] | Native to Namibia, Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia |
| Khoekhoe | Khoe–Kwadi | 200,000 ± 10,000 (2011) | National language of Namibia |
| Ki | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 26,000 (1982)[247] | Native to Cameroon |
| Kim | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000 (1993)[248] | Native to Chad |
| Kimbundu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,700,000 (2015)[249] | Angola |
| Kinyarwanda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000,000 (2014–2024)[250] | Rwanda |
| Kirundi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 13,000,000 (2021)[251] | Burundi |
| Kisi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000 (2012)[252] | Native to Tanzania |
| Kissi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 910,000 (2017–2020)[253] | Native to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone |
| Kita Maninka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 449,000 (2001-2014)[254] | Recognized in Mali |
| Kituba | Kongo-based creole | 13,000,000 (2018–2022)[255] | Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo |
| Koalib | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (2009)[256] | Native to Sudan |
| Korandje | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 3,000 (2010)[257] | Native to Algeria |
| Koro Wachi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (2006–2012)[258] | Native to Nigeria |
| Kom | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 210,000 (2005)[259] | Native to Cameroon |
| Komo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 10,000 in Sudan (1979)[260]
8,500 in Ethiopia (2007)[261] |
Native to Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia |
| Kongo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,000,000 cited 1982–2021)[262] | Angola, recognised national language of Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Konkomba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 920,000 (2012–2013)[263] | Native to Ghana and Togo |
| Konni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,800 (2003)[264] | Native to Ghana |
| Koshin | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2011)[265] | Native to Cameroon |
| Koyra Chiini | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 200,000 (1999)[266] | Native to Mali |
| Koyraboro Senni | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 430,000 (2007)[267] | Native to Mali |
| Kulango | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 470,000 (2021)[268] | Native to Ghana and Ivory Coast |
| Kunda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 160,000 (2000)[269] | Native to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique |
| Kusaal | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 121,000 (2021 census)[270] | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo |
| Kusu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 26,000 (1971)[271] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Kresh | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 16,000 including Dongo (2013)[272] | Native to South Sudan |
| Krio | English Creole | 860,000 (2021)[273] | Native to Sierra Leone |
| Krongo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 54,000 (2022)[274] | Native to Sudan |
| Kuba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,000 (2000)[275] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Kuk | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (1993)[276] | Native to Cameroon |
| Kukelle | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 180,000 to 200,000 (2011)[277] | Native to Nigeria |
| Kunama | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 180,000 (2022)[278] | Native to Eritrea, and Ethiopia |
| Kung | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12[date missing][279] | Native to Cameroon |
| Kurama | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 40,000 (2000)[280] | Native to Nigeria |
| Kuranko | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 670,000 (2017–2021)[281] | Native to Guinea and Sierra Leone |
| Kuvale | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 70,000 (2015)[282] | Native to Angola |
| Kwaʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000 (2000)[283] | Native to Cameroon |
| Kwala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 45,000 (2000)[284] | Native to Republic of the Congo |
| Kwama | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 15,000 (2015)[285] | Native to Ethiopia |
| Kwambi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 33,000 (2006)[286] | Native to Namibia and Angola |
| Kwangali | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 152,000 (2018)[287] | Native to Namibia and Angola |
| Kwangwa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,400 (2010)[288] | Native to Zambia |
| Kwanyama | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 670,000 (1993-2006)[289] | Native to Namibia and Angola |
| Kyenga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000 (1995–2012)[290] | Native to Benin and Nigeria |
| Kyoli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,000-8,000 (2020)[291] | Native to Nigeria |
| Lala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown but extant (1999)[292] | Native to South Africa |
| Lala-Bisa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 350,000 (2010)[293] | Native to Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Lamba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200,000 (2010)[294] | Native to Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Laimbue | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,000 (1994)[295] | Native to Cameroon |
| Laro | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 40,000 (2010)[296] | Native to Sudan |
| Lega | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 450,000 (1982–2000)[297] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Lele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 26,000 (1971)[298] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Lendu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 760,000 (1996)[299] | Native to Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Lenje | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 130,000 (2010) | Native to Zambia |
| Leti | Niger–Congo (Probable) | "small population" (2014)[300] | Native to Cameroon |
| Lia-Ntomba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200,000 (1980-2000)[301] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ligbi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 19,000 (1991–2003)[302] | Native to Ghana |
| Limba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,200 (2001)[303] | Native to Cameroon |
| Limba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 520,000 (1993-2019)[304] | Native to Guinea and Sierra Leone |
| Limbum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 130,000 (2005)[305] | Native to Cameroon |
| Lingala | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 21,000,000 (2021)[306] | National language of Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo |
| Lobedu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000,000 (estimated)[307] | Native to South Africa |
| Logol | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 13,000 (2022)[308] | Native to Sudan |
| Loki | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,200[date missing][309] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Londo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (1983)[310] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Lorhon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1991–1999)[311] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast |
| Losengo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 67,000 (1983–2002)[312] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Lozi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 725,000 (1982–2010)[313] | Native to Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe |
| Luganda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,600,000 (2014)[314] | Native to Uganda |
| Lugbara | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 1,600,000 (2014)[315] | Native to Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Kuhane | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 45,000[316] | Native to Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia |
| Luhya | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,800,000[317] | Spoken in Kenya |
| Lumun | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000 (2014)[318] | Native to Sudan |
| Luo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 4,200,000 (2009)[319] | Kenya, Tanzania |
| Luyana | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,380 (2010)[320] | Native to Zambia |
| Maba | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 570,000 (2019)[321] | Native to Chad |
| Ma'di | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 310,000 (1982–2002)[322] | Native to Uganda and South Sudan |
| Mada | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (not counting Nunku) (1993)[323] | Native to Nigeria |
| Malagasy | Austronesian | 18,000,000[324] | Madagascar |
| Marfa | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 5,000 (1999)[325] | Native in Chad |
| Marka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 190,000 (2009–2014)[326] | Spoken in Burkina Faso |
| Mama | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,000–3,000 (2001)[327] | Native to Nigeria |
| Mampruli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 230,000 (2004)Dagbani | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Togo |
| Mandinka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,100,000 (2017–2022)[328] | Recognized in Senegal |
| Mangbetu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 662,000 (1985)[329] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Maninka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,600,000 (2012–2021)[330] | Spoken in Nigeria |
| Mankon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 19,000 (2002)[331] | Native to Cameroon |
| Manta | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,300 (2001)[332] | Native to Cameroon |
| Masaba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,700,000 (2002 & 2009)[333] | Native to Kenya |
| Masalit | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 410,000 (2019–2022)[334] | Native to Chad and Sudan |
| Mashi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 22,000 (2000–2010)[335] | Native to Zambia and Angola |
| Massa | Afro-Asiatic | 340,000 (1982–2019)[336] | Native to Cameroon and Chad |
| Mauritian Creole | French Creole | 1,100,000 (2016)[337] | Native to Mauritius |
| Mbamba Bay | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,000 (2004)[338] | Native to Tanzania |
| Mbandja | Ubangian | 360,000 (2000)[339] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo and Central African Republic |
| Mbati | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 60,000 (2010)[340] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Mbe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 65,000 (2011)[341] | Native to Nigeria |
| Mbəʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,500 (2000)[342] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbessa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2020)[343] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbili-Mbui | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (1983)[344] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbowe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 460 (2010)[345] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbre | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50 (2017)[346] | Native to Ivory Coast |
| Mbuʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200 (2011)[347] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbuk | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 600 (2020)[348] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbuko | Afro-Asiatic | 15,000 (2008)[349] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mbukushu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 95,000 (2020)[350] | National language in Namibia and Native to Angola, Botswana, and Zambia |
| Mbwasa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown[351] | Native to Cameroon |
| Medumba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 210,000 (1991)[352] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mehri | Afro-Asiatic | 230,000 (2020) | Native to Yemen, Oman and Saudi Arabia |
| Menchum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2000)[353] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mendankwe-Nkwen | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 28,000 (2005)[354] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mengaka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 20,000 (1993)[355] | Native to Cameroon |
| Menyam | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,000 (1994)[356] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mesaka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 14,000 (1982)[357] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mfumte | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,700 (1982-2000)[358] | Native to Cameroon |
| Minyanka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 740,000 (2000)[359] | Native to Mali |
| Missong | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 400 (2012)[360] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mmen | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 35,000 (2001)[361] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mmuock | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Cameroon |
| Moba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 440,000 (2004–2012)[362] | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo |
| Moro | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 79,000 (2022)[363] | Native to Sudan |
| Morokodo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 3,400 (2011)[364] | Native to South Sudan |
| Moru | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 230,000 (2017)[365] | Native to South Sudan |
| Mossi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000,000 (2012–2022)[366] | Recognised regional language in Burkina Faso |
| Mono | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 65,000 (1984)[367] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Mongo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 400,000 (1995)[368] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Mooré | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000,000 (2012–2022)[369] | Official in Burkina Faso
Native to Burkina Faso, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Togo, Niger, and Senegal |
| Mundabli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 500 (2011)[370] | Native to Cameroon |
| Mündü | Ubangian | 26,000[date missing][371] | Native to South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Mundum | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Cameroon |
| Mungbam | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,900–2,200 (2012)[372] | Native to Cameroon |
| Munka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 31,000 (2008)[373] | Native to Cameroon |
| Nabit | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,000 (estimated) (2015)[374] | Native to Burkina Faso, Ghana |
| Nafanan | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 89,000 (2017)[375] | Native to Ghana and the Ivory Coast |
| Nambya | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (2000–2004)[376] | Native to Zimbabwe |
| Nancere | Afroasiatic | 144,000 (2019)[377] | Native to Chad |
| Nanerigé | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (1985)[378] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Naro | Khoe–Kwadi | 9,000 (2011-2014)[379][380] | Native to Botswana and Namibia |
| Nateni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 110,000 (2021)[381] | Native to Benin |
| Naki | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (1993)[382] | Native to Cameroon, Nigeria |
| Ntcham | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 390,000 (2004–2013)[383] | Native to Ghana and Togo |
| Ndaʼndaʼ | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (1990)[384] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ndau | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,400,000 (2000–2006)[385] | Zimbabwe |
| Ndebele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,100,000 (2011)[386] | Statutory national language in South Africa |
| Ndemli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 10,000 (1999)[387] | Native to Cameroon |
| Nding | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 400 (2020)[388] | Native to Sudan |
| Ndombe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 22,300 (2000)[389] | Native to Angola |
| Ndonga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 810,000 (2006)[390] | Native to Namibia and Angola |
| Ndolo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1983)[391] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ndrulo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 110,000 (2014–2018)[392] | Native language of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Ndzerem | Niger–Congo (Probable) | <1,000[date missing][393] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ngaʼka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (1982)[394] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ngambwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Angola |
| Ngando | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,000 (1996)[395] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Ngangam | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 200,000 (2012–2021)[396] | Native to Benin and Togo |
| Ngbundu | Ubangian | 16,000 (1984)[397] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ngelima | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 14,000 (2000)[398] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ngiemboon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 250,000 (2007)[399] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ngile | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 39,000 (2024)[400] | Native to Sudan |
| Ngiri | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 80,000 (2000–2002)[401] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ngiti | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 100,000 (1991)[402] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ngondi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2004)[403] | Native to Republic of Congo |
| Ngomba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 63,000 (1999)[404] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ngombale | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 53,500 (2005)[405] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ngombe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (1971)[406] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Ngwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 73,000 (2001)[407] | Native to Cameroon |
| Nigerian Pidgin | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,700,000[when?][408] | Native to Nigeria |
| Ninzo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 35,000 (1973)[409] | Native to Nigeria |
| Nkoroo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,500 (1989)[410] | Native to Nigeria |
| Nkumbi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (1996)[411] | Native to Angola |
| Nkutu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 40,000 (1972)[412] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Nsei | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2008)[413] | Native to Cameroon |
| Nsenga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 600,000 in Zambia and Mozambique (2006 – 2010)
16,000 in Zimbabwe (1969)[414] |
Native to Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe |
| Nso | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 240,000 (2005)[415] | Native to Cameroon |
| Noni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (2005–2008)[416] | Native to Cameroon |
| Noon | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 33,000 (2007)[417] | Official in Senegal |
| Northern Ndebele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,600,000 (2023)[418] | Official in Zimbabwe |
| Northern Sotho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,700,000 (2011)[419] | Official in South Africa |
| Nubi | Arabic-based creole | 50,000 (2014-2019)[420] | Native to Uganda, Kenya |
| Nuer | Nilo-Saharan | 1,700,000 (2007–2017)[421] | Native to South Sudan and Ethiopia |
| Numana | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (2008)[422] | Native to Nigeria |
| Nupe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,800,000 (2020)[423] | Native to Nigeria |
| Nyaneka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 300,000 to 1.2 million[date missing] (before 1996)[424] | Native to Angola |
| Nyanga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (1994)[425] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Nyankpa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 70,000 (2012)[426] | Native to Nigeria |
| Nyarafolo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 60,000 (2009)[427] | Native to Ivory Coast |
| Nyungwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 490,000 (2017)[428] | Native to Mozambique |
| Nzakara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (1996)[429] | Native to Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Okodia | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,600 (1977)[430] | Native to Nigeria |
| Oku | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 87,000 (2005)[431] | Native to Cameroon |
| Ombo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,400 (2002)[432] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Omi | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 91,000 (2005)[433] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Osatu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 400 (2002)[434] | Native to Cameroon |
| Oluʼbo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 33,000 (2017)[435] | Native to South Sudan |
| Opuo | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 20,000 (2014–2019)[436] | Native to Ethiopia and South Sudan |
| Oromo | Afroasiatic | 37,071,900 (2020) [437] | Official in Ethiopia
Recognized minority in Kenya Native to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia |
| Oruma | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,000 (1995)[438] | Native to Nigeria |
| Otank | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 15,000 (2006)[439] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Otoro | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 17,000 (2023)[440] | Native to Sudan |
| Ovambo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,441,000 (1990)[441] | Native to Angola and Namibia |
| Palaka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1995)[442] | Native to Ivory Coast |
| Paleni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 260 (2012)[443] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Pambia | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 21,000 (1982)[444] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Pande | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,870 (2010)[445] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Phuthi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 20,000 (1999)[446][447] | Native to Lesotho and South Africa |
| Pichinglis | English Creole | 6,000 (2011)[448] | Native to Bioko and Equatorial Guinea |
| Pinyin | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2001)[449] | Native to Cameroon |
| Piti | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,100 (2013)[450] | Native to Niger |
| Portuguese | Indo-European | 17,000,000[451] | Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Pretoria Sotho | Sotho-Tswana language creole | Unknown | Native to South Africa |
| Rigwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 40,000 (1985)[452] | Native to Niger |
| Ronga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 720,000 (2006)[453] | Native to Mozambique and South Africa |
| Saari | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,600 (2008)[454] | Native to Cameroon |
| Saba | Afroasiatic | 1,300 (2000)[455] | Native to Chad |
| Saho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 180,000 (2007–2022)[456] | Native to Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Samo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 230,000 (1995–1999)[457] | Native to Burkina Faso and Mali |
| Samwe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,500 (1993)[458] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Sakata | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 75,000 (1982)[459] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Saya | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 300,000 (2013)[460] | Native to Niger |
| Sekele | Kxʼa | 20,000 (2013–2019)[461] | Native to Namibia, Angola |
| Sena | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,869,000 (2017–2020)[462] | Official in Zimbabwe
Recognized in Malawi Native to Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe |
| Senara | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 210,000 (1995–2010)[463] | Native to Burkina Faso and Mali |
| Sengele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 17,000 (2002)[464] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Sepedi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,700,000 (2011)[465] | Official in South Africa |
| Sesotho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,600,000 (2001–2011)[466] | Official in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe |
| Setlôkwa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown (Possibly ~670,000) | Native to Lesotho and South Africa |
| Seychellois Creole | French Creole | 73,000 (1998)[467] | Official in Seychelles |
| Shabo | Language isolate or possible Nilo-Saharan | 400 (2000)[468] | Native to Ethiopia |
| Shanjo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 4,400 (2010)[469] | Native to Zambia |
| Shi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 660,000 (1991)[470] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Shona | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,400,000 (2012–2017)[471] | Official in Zimbabwe
Recognized minority in Mozambique |
| Shwai | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,500 (1989)[472] | Native to Sudan |
| Sighu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,000 (1990)[473] | Native to Gabon |
| Simaa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 17,000 (2010)[474] | Native to Zambia |
| Sinyar | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 33,000 (2023)[475] | Native to Chad |
| Siwu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 27,000 (2003)[476] | Native to Ghana |
| Somali | Afroasiatic | 21,937,940[477] | Official in Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya
Recognized minority in Kenya |
| Soninke | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,300,000 (2017–2021)[478] | Official in Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and The Gambia
Native to Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal |
| Soli | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 34,000 (2010)[479] | Native to Zambia |
| Sotho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,600,000 (2001–2011)[480] | Native to Lesotho, South Africa, and Zimbabwe |
| South Banda | Ubangian | 200,000 (1996)[481] | Native to Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Southeast Ijo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 72,000 (1977)[482] | Native to Nigeria |
| Southern Birifor | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 190,000 (2017)[483] | Native to Ghana and Ivory Coast |
| Suba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 140,000 (2009)[484] | Native to Kenya |
| Suba-Simbiti | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 110,000 (2011)[485] | Native to Tanzania |
| Sucite | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 38,000 (1999–2007)[486] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Suku | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 50,000 (1980)[487] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Sukur | Afroasiatic | 15,000 (1992)[488] | Native to Nigeria |
| Supyire | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 460,000 (1996–2007)[489] | Native to Mali |
| Sumayela Ndebele | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown but extant[490][491][492][493] | Native to South Africa |
| Susu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,400,000 (2017–2019)[494] | Native to Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau |
| Suwu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | "few" (2007)[495] | Native to Cameroon |
| Spanish | Indo-European | 1,100,000 (2018)[496] | Equatorial Guinea, Spain (Ceuta, Melilla, Canary Islands), still marginally spoken in Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, recognized in Morocco |
| Songhoyboro Ciine | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 946,000 (2014)[497] | Native to Niger |
| Southern Ndebele | Niger–Congo | 1,100,000 (2011)[498] | Official in South Africa |
| Surbakhal | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 7,900 (2000)[499] | Native to Chad |
| Syer-Tenyer | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 30,000 (1991)[500] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Swahili | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,300,000 (2019–2023)[501] | Official in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Swazi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,300,000 (2013–2019)[502] | Official in South Africa, Swaziland |
| Taa | Tuu | 2,500 (2011)[503] | Native to Botswana and Namibia |
| Tadaksahak | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 170,000 (2022)[504] | Native to Mali and Niger |
| Tagdal | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 65,000 (2021)[505] | Native to Niger |
| Tagoi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 29,000 (2022)[506] | Native to Sudan |
| Tagwana | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 140,000 (1993) | Native to Ivory Coast |
| Talodi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,500 (1989) | Native to Sudan |
| Talni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (estimated) (2015)[507] | Native to Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Tamil | Dravidian | Native to Mauritius | |
| Tasawaq | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 21,000 (2021)[508] | Native to Niger |
| Teda | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 130,000 (2020–2024)[509] | Native to Chad, Libya, and Niger |
| Tegali | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 110,000 (2022)[510] | Native to Sudan |
| Tegem | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,100 (1984)[511] | Native to Sudan |
| Telugu | Dravidian | Native to Mauritius | |
| Tembo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 150,000 (1994)[512] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Tetela | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 760,000 (1991)[513] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Tigrinya | Afroasiatic | 9,700,000 (2022)[514] | Official in Eritrea and Ethiopia |
| Tikar | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 110,000 (2005)[515] | Native to Cameroon |
| Tiro | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 34,000 (2022)[516] | Native to Sudan |
| Tima | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,300 (2000)[517] | Native to Sudan |
| Tiv | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,200,000 (2024)[518] | Native to Nigeria |
| Tocho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,700 (2013)[519] | Native to Sudan |
| Tondi Songway Kiini | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 3,000 (1998)[520] | Native to Mali |
| Tonga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,500,000 (2001–2010)[521] | Official in Zimbabwe
Recognized minority in Zambia |
| Tonga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 330,000 (2017)[522] | Native to Mozambique |
| Tonga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 165,000 (2018)[523] | Recognized minority language in Malawi |
| Totela | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,220 (2010)[524] | Native to Namibia and Zambia |
| Tsamai | Afroasiatic | 18,000 (2007)[525] | Native to Ethiopia |
| Tsotsitaal and Camtho, aka Iscamtho | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 500,000 (estimated)[526] | Native to South Africa |
| Tshiluba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 6,300,000 (1991)[527] | National language of Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Tsonga or Xitsonga | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,700,000 (2006–2011)[528] | Official in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Recognized minority in Mozambique Native to Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe |
| Tshivenda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,300,000 (2011)[529] | Official in South Africa and Zimbabwe |
| Tswa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,200,000 (2006)[530] | Native to Mozambique |
| Tswana | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 5,800,000 (2015)[531] | Official in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Recognized minority in Namibia Native to Botswana and South Africa |
| Tulishi | Nilo-Saharan | 2,500 (2007)[532] | Native to Sudan |
| Tumbuka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,100,000 (2024)[533] | Recognized minority language in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia |
| Tumtum | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 17,000 (2022)[534] | Native to Sudan |
| Twi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 630,000[citation needed] | Regional language in Ghana |
| Tyap | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 875,000 (2020)[535] | Native to Nigeria |
| Uduk | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 22,000[date missing] (presumably after 2005)[536] | Native to Sudan and South Sudan |
| Umbundu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,000,000 (2018)[537] | Official in Angola |
| Venda | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,300,000 (2011)[538] | Official in South Africa, Zimbabwe
Native to South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe |
| Vengo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 27,000 (2008)[539] | Native to Cameroon |
| Viemo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1995)[540] | Native to Burkina Faso |
| Viti | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown (one village)[541] | Native to Nigeria |
| Vori | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 3,000 (2016)[542] | Native to Nigeria |
| Voro | Niger–Congo (Probable) | Unknown | Native to Nigeria |
| Wannu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | a few thousand (1998)[543] | Native to Nigeria |
| Wali | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 85,000 (2013)[544] | Native to Ghana |
| Wali | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 9,000 (2007)[545] | Native to Sudan |
| Wapan | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 100,000 (1994)[546] | Native to Nigeria |
| Weh | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 8,000 (1993)[547] | Native to Cameroon |
| Werni | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,100 (1956)[548] | Native to Sudan |
| West Banda | Ubangian | 7,500 (1982–1996)[549] | Native to Central African Republic and South Sudan |
| Wolof | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,100,000 (2020–2021)[550] | Lingua franca in Senegal |
| Wongo | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 13,000 (2000)[551] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Wushi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 27,000 (2008)[552] | Native to Cameroon and possibly Nigeria |
| Xhosa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 7,600,000 (2013)[174] | Official in South Africa, Zimbabwe
Recognized minority in Botswana Native to South Africa and Lesotho |
| Yamba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 80,000 (2000)[553] | Native to Cameroon and Nigeria |
| Yangere | Ubangian | 27,000 (1996)[554] | Native to Central African Republic |
| Yalunka | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 181,000 (2002–2017)[555] | Native to Guinea |
| Yela-Kela | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 213,000 Kela (1972-1977)[556] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Yemba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 500,000 estimated (2023)[557] | Native to Cameroon |
| Yeyi | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 55,000 (2001)[558] | Native to Namibia and Botswana |
| Yobe | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 22,000 (1991–2012)[559] | Native to Benin and Togo |
| Yoruba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 45,000,000 (2021)[174] | Nigeria, Benin, Togo |
| Yulu | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 13,000 (1987–2011)[560] | Native to Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan |
| Zaghawa | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 450,000 (2019–2022)[561] | Native to Chad and Sudan |
| Zande | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 1,800,000 (1996–2017)[562] | Native to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan |
| Zarma | Nilo-Saharan (Probable) | 6,000,000 (2021)[563] | Native to Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria |
| Zemba | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 25,000 (2011-2016)[564] | Native to Angola and Namibia |
| Zhire | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 11,000 to 15,000 (2021)[565] | Native to Nigeria |
| Zhoa | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 2,000 (1995)[566] | Native to Cameroon |
| Zulu | Niger–Congo (Probable) | 12,000,000 (2013–2017)[89] | South Africa |
By region
Below is a list of the major languages of Africa by region, family and total number of primary language speakers in millions.
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See also
General
Works
Classifiers
Colonial and migratory influences
- Arabization
- Asian Africans
- Dutch Language Union
- French West Africa
- German colonization of Africa
- Islamization of Egypt
- Italian East Africa — including Italian Ethiopia
- Italian North Africa
- North African Arabs
- Maghrebi Arabic — via Muslim conquest of the Maghreb
- Portuguese language in Africa — predominant in Portuguese-speaking African countries
- Spanish Guinea — presently Equatorial Guinea
- Spanish West Africa
- Spanish North Africa
- West African Pidgin English
- White Africans of European ancestry
Notes
References
External links
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