Arabic-Speaking Countries in Africa
The 11 African countries where Arabic is an official language.
Last updated: September 2026
Arabic is an official language in 11 African countries: Algeria, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia. Together they have about 318 million people. Egypt is the largest Arabic-speaking country in Africa and in the world, with about 117 million people. Arabic is also a working language in Eritrea and is used in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
| Country | Capital | Region | Population | Status of Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Algiers | North Africa | 46.8 million | Official, with Tamazight |
| Chad | N'Djamena | Central Africa | 20.3 million | Official, with French |
| Comoros | Moroni | East Africa | 0.87 million | Official, with Comorian and French |
| Djibouti | Djibouti City | East Africa | 1.17 million | Official, with French |
| Egypt | Cairo | North Africa | 116.5 million | Official |
| Libya | Tripoli | North Africa | 7.4 million | Official |
| Mauritania | Nouakchott | West Africa | 5.2 million | Official |
| Morocco | Rabat | North Africa | 38.1 million | Official, with Tamazight |
| Somalia | Mogadishu | East Africa | 19.0 million | Official, with Somali |
| Sudan | Khartoum | North Africa | 50.4 million | Official, with English |
| Tunisia | Tunis | North Africa | 12.3 million | Official |
Population: UN 2024 estimates. In Somalia, Comoros, Djibouti and Chad most people speak other languages at home (Somali, Comorian, Afar, Chadian languages); Arabic is used mainly in religion, education and government. Ten of these countries (all except Chad) are members of the Arab League.
How Arabic Spread in Africa
Unlike French, English and Portuguese, Arabic did not arrive through European colonialism. It spread with the Arab conquests of North Africa from the 7th century, and later through trade and migration along the Nile, across the Sahara and along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts. Over centuries, Arabic replaced Coptic in Egypt and much of the Berber-speaking population of the Maghreb adopted it, although Tamazight (Berber) languages remain widely spoken in Morocco and Algeria and are now official there.
Everyday spoken Arabic differs greatly by country. Egyptian Arabic is widely understood thanks to film and television, while Maghrebi dialects (Darija) in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are hard for eastern Arabic speakers to follow. Modern Standard Arabic is used in writing, the news and formal speech across all of them.
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory, mostly administered by Morocco and claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Arabic (Hassaniya) is its main language, but it is not counted among Africa's 54 countries. See also North Africa and French-speaking countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many African countries speak Arabic?
Arabic is an official language in 11 African countries: Algeria, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia. It is also a working language in Eritrea.
Which African countries are in the Arab League?
Ten: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
What is the largest Arabic-speaking country in Africa?
Egypt by population (about 117 million) and Algeria by area (about 2.38 million km²).