English-Speaking Countries in Africa
The 23 African countries where English is an official language.
Last updated: September 2026
English is an official language in 23 African countries, home to about 713 million people. Nigeria is the largest English-speaking country in Africa, with about 233 million people, followed by South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. English is also widely used in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and Niger adopted it as a working language in 2025.
| Country | Capital | Region | Population | Status of English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Gaborone | Southern Africa | 2.52 million | Official, with Setswana national language |
| Burundi | Gitega | East Africa | 14.0 million | Official since 2014, with Kirundi and French |
| Cameroon | Yaoundé | Central Africa | 29.1 million | Official, with French |
| Eswatini | Mbabane | Southern Africa | 1.24 million | Official, with siSwati |
| The Gambia | Banjul | West Africa | 2.76 million | Official |
| Ghana | Accra | West Africa | 34.4 million | Official |
| Kenya | Nairobi | East Africa | 56.4 million | Official, with Swahili |
| Lesotho | Maseru | Southern Africa | 2.34 million | Official, with Sesotho |
| Liberia | Monrovia | West Africa | 5.6 million | Official |
| Malawi | Lilongwe | East Africa | 21.7 million | Official; Chichewa widely spoken |
| Mauritius | Port Louis | East Africa | 1.27 million | Main language of parliament and government |
| Namibia | Windhoek | Southern Africa | 3.03 million | Official |
| Nigeria | Abuja | West Africa | 232.7 million | Official |
| Rwanda | Kigali | East Africa | 14.3 million | Official, with Kinyarwanda, French and Swahili |
| Seychelles | Victoria | East Africa | 0.13 million | Official, with Seychellois Creole and French |
| Sierra Leone | Freetown | West Africa | 8.6 million | Official |
| South Africa | Pretoria | Southern Africa | 64.0 million | One of 12 official languages |
| South Sudan | Juba | East Africa | 11.9 million | Official |
| Sudan | Khartoum | North Africa | 50.4 million | Official, with Arabic |
| Tanzania | Dodoma | East Africa | 68.6 million | Official, with Swahili |
| Uganda | Kampala | East Africa | 50.0 million | Official, with Swahili |
| Zambia | Lusaka | East Africa | 21.3 million | Official |
| Zimbabwe | Harare | East Africa | 16.6 million | One of 16 official languages |
Population: UN 2024 estimates. Mauritius's constitution names no official language, but English is the language of parliament and government. Regions follow the UN grouping.
English-Speaking Countries by Region
- East Africa (11): Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- West Africa (5): The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone
- Southern Africa (5): Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa
- Central Africa (1): Cameroon
- North Africa (1): Sudan
How English Spread in Africa
Most English-speaking African countries are former British colonies or protectorates, from Ghana and Nigeria to Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. Liberia is different: it was founded by freed African Americans and never colonised. Namibia chose English at independence in 1990 in place of Afrikaans and German. Rwanda (2003 constitution, school switch in 2008) and Burundi (2014) adopted English later to strengthen ties with the East African Community.
English is usually a second language used in government, courts, higher education and business, while most people speak African languages at home, such as Hausa, Yoruba, Swahili, Zulu or Twi. Cameroon is officially bilingual, and English is the main language of its two Anglophone regions (North-West and South-West). See also French-speaking countries in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries in Africa speak English?
English is an official language in 23 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.
What is the largest English-speaking country in Africa?
Nigeria, with about 233 million people. English is its official language, alongside hundreds of local languages such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.
Is English spoken in Rwanda?
Yes. Rwanda made English an official language in 2003 and switched schools to English-medium teaching in 2008. Kinyarwanda, French and Swahili are also official.