When it comes to learning the French language, there are several defining factors: occasionally tricky grammar rules, the importance of formality in certain social settings, and whether it’s a faux pas to say bonjour (hello) to the same person more than once per day (pro tip: don’t do it).
With any language you learn, you’ll want to know where you can speak it. French is spoken in many parts of the world, including countries in Africa. There are over 311 million French speakers around the world today, and due to the history of French colonialism, there are thousands of amazing cultures to explore in over 26 French-speaking countries in Africa.
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Which African countries speak French?
From Morocco to Madagascar, Francophone Africa is culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse. The French dialects spoken across the continent are shaped by local cultures, other spoken languages, and each nation’s unique colonial history. Take a closer look at each of the 26 French-speaking countries in Africa, where the Observatoire démographique et statistique de l’espace francophone (ODSEF) estimates that over 90% of Francophones will live by 2050.
The question of which countries in Africa speak French is complex. Some speak French as their sole official language, while others have two or more official languages. There are even those for whom French is not an official language but is spoken in some contexts. Figures for how many people speak French can be determined via different methods, including those for whom French is an additional language.
This list of countries includes those that are official members of the Organisation International de la Francophonie (OIF) and have larger populations of French speakers. Algeria, where French is a widely spoken lingua franca despite it not having official status, is also included.
- Algérie (Algeria)
- Bénin (Benin)
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroun (Cameroon)
- République centrafricaine/Centrafrique (Central African Republic)
- Tchad (Chad)
- Comores (Comoros; in the Indian Ocean)
- Congo (The Republic of the Congo)
- Congo RDC (The Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Djibouti
- Guinée Équatoriale (Equatorial Guinea)
- Gabon
- Guinée (Guinea)
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritanie (Mauritania)
- Maurice (Mauritius)
- Maroc (Morocco)
- Niger (The Republic of Niger)
- Rwanda
- Sénégal (Senegal)
- Seychelles
- Togo
- Tunisie (Tunisia)
There are other countries in Africa with French speakers, but the number of French speakers is very low in comparison to the list above. These countries include:
- Cap-Vert/Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
- Égypte (Egypt)
- Ghana
- Guinée-Bissau (Guinea-Bissau)
- La Gambie (The Gambia)
- Mozambique
1. Algeria
Population: 44,968,000
French-speaking population: 15.6 million, according to the ODSEF’s “Francoscope.”
Other languages spoken: Arabic (official language), Berber
Algeria has been the largest country in Africa (The World Factbook) since South Sudan’s independence. Algeria became independent in 1962 after a brutal war with France. Though French has no official status in Algeria today, it continues to be widely used in government, media, and education, earning it a spot on the list of French-speaking countries in Africa.
2. Benin
Population: 13,904,000
French-speaking population: 4.9 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Yoruba, 50 Indigenous languages, including Fon, Yom, Ngangam, and Dendi (Ethnologue)
Benin is named after the Kingdom of Benin, which was located in present-day Nigeria. Before its independence, it was known as Dahomey. From the 17th through the 19th century, the society was known for the Dahomey warriors, an all-female military regiment portrayed in the film The Woman King.
3. Burkina Faso
Population: 22,489,000
French-speaking population: 5.5 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: 66 other living indigenous languages (Ethnologue)
Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African country that gained independence from France in 1984. The French called it La République de Haute-Volta. Their first president, Thomas Sankara, renamed it to Burkina Faso, which can be translated to “the land of honest men.”
4. Burundi
Population: 12,890,000
French-speaking population: 1.3 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Kirundi, English
Burundi is one of the few countries in Sub-Saharan Africa whose borders are a direct continuation of a pre-colonial state. It is a country with an unfortunately long history of unrest, including a 12-year civil war that came to an end in 2005. It is also one of the smallest French-speaking countries in Africa.
5. Cameroon
Population: 29,037,000
French-speaking population: 12.2 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: English, Cameroonian Pidgin English, Camfranglais, 273 living Indigenous languages. (Ethnologue)
With over 250 languages spoken within its borders, Cameroon is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. And they’re still innovating linguistically! A new hybrid known as Camfranglais, which combines Cameroonian Pidgin, English, and French, developed in the 1970s and has been spreading in urban areas ever since.
6. Central African Republic
Population: 5,832,000
French-speaking population: 1.3 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Sango, 67 Indigenous languages (Ethnologue)
The land that is now called Centrafrique (the Central African Republic), or CAR, has been inhabited since 8000 B.C. During the colonial era, it was known as Ubangi-Shari. When the country gained independence from France in 1960, Prime Minister Barthélemy Boganda renamed it with the vision of building alliances with neighboring countries.
7. Chad
Population: 18,523,000
French-speaking population: 2.7 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Central Sudanic, Maban, and 123 living Indigenous languages.(Ethnologue)
Chad is home to some of Africa’s most important archaeological sites. Over 120 languages are spoken within its borders. French and Arabic are the official languages due to colonization and the history of Arab traders traveling through the area, but most Chadians speak an Indigenous language at home.
8. Comoros
Population: 888,400
French-speaking population: 333,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Comorian dialects
Some French-speaking African countries are island nations, like Comoros. Comoros is made up of three islands located in the Mozambique Channel. It is the fifth smallest African country by area (The World Factbook). Comoros declared independence from France in 1975, but the fourth major island in the archipelago, Mayotte, is administered by France to this day as an overseas department.
9. Congo
Population: 6,179,000
French-speaking population: almost 4 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Lingala, Kituba, and 62 other local languages (Ethnologue)
The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, The Congo, or simply Congo, broke off from French Equatorial Africa in 1958 and declared independence in 1960. Brazzaville, the capital city, served as a hub for the French resistance during the Nazi occupation. The Brazzaville conference was the beginning of an era of reform for France’s colonial policy.
10. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Population: 104,008,000
French-speaking population: 57 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Kituba (Kikongo), Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili, and over 200 other living Indigenous languages (Ethnologue)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, is the country with the second-highest percentage of French speakers in the world after France, but with a higher overall population. The country was colonized by King Leopold II of Belgium, who forced the local people to produce rubber under horrific conditions.
While the Congo has suffered from political instability, corruption, and decades of internal conflict even since gaining independence in 1960, it maintains a rich and beautiful cultural heritage. Most recognizable are the global phenomenon of Ndombolo dance music and incredibly skilled athletes that play around the globe, including football strikers Romelu Lukaku and Dieumerci Mbokani.
11. Côte d’Ivoire
Population: 29,345,000
French-speaking population: Almost 12 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: 76 living Indigenous languages and 12 other established languages (Ethnologue)
Côte d’Ivoire (translated to “Ivory Coast”) is named for its role in the ivory trade and its location on Africa’s west coast. Its residents are called Ivorians. It is unique among francophone countries in Africa in that its name is always used in French. Though English speakers frequently call the country the Ivory Coast, the Ivorian government does not accept literal translations of its name in international dealings.
12. Djibouti
Population: 1,121,000
French-speaking population: 592.000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Somali, Afar
Djibouti is a small country located on the Horn of Africa. The country was named after its capital city, not the other way around. Though it’s the least populous country in mainland Africa, it is a growing commercial hub thanks to its location near many important shipping lanes. It is also one of the world’s most prominent geological sites thanks to its unique location between the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the East African rift system.
13. Equatorial Guinea
Population: 1,675,000
French-speaking population: 560,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Spanish, Portuguese, and 12 living Indigenous languages.(Ethnologue)
As the name suggests, Equatorial Guinea is located on the equator, on the west coast of Central Africa. The country was colonized by Spain, but French was introduced by people from neighboring countries, notably Cameroon and Gabon.
14. Gabon
Population: 2,462,000
French-speaking population: 1.7 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and 40 living Indigenous-languages. (Ethnologue)
Gabon is also located on the equator. The land was originally inhabited by the Pygmy people, but migrating Bantu tribes became the majority in the 14th century. Today, Bantu populations make up almost all of the population, with the Fang ethnicity as its largest group. It is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, and much of it is protected park land. Their many national parks are home to an incredible variety of wildlife living in rainforests, mangroves, and tidal beaches.
15. Guinea
Population: 14,368,000
French-speaking population: over 4 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Pular/Pulaar, Mandingo, Susu, Kissi, and Kpelle are some of the 35 living Indigenous languages. (Ethnologue)
Guinea is a coastal West African country, sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbors, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. After a long history of coups d’état, Guinea had its first democratic election in 2010. Its capital city of Conakry sits on the coast and is home to the National Museum and the Grand Mosque.
16. Madagascar
Population: 29,612,000
French-speaking population: 8.7 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Merina Malagasy
Madagascar is a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, and it’s the fourth largest island in the world. Though it is known to outsiders for its wildlife, the island has been inhabited since the first millennium AD. Ecotourism is a major driver of the nation’s economy. The famous upside-down-looking baobab trees, a fixture of the French book Le Petit Prince, are found throughout Madagascar, making it one of the most picturesque countries that speaks French in Africa.
17. Mali
Population: 23,834,000
French-speaking population: 5 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: 63 living Indigenous languages (Ethnologue)
Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa (The World Factbook), and much of that land includes the seemingly endless dunes of the Sahara Desert. If you find yourself in Mali, you’ll notice that many wear boubous, a long, wide-sleeved robe worn across West Africa. The importance and meaning of movement abounds in Mali as well; both music and dance play a huge role in Malian culture. The historic trading city of Timbuktu is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mali dropped French as an official language in 2023, but it is still a working language in administrative and educational settings. The country has 13 official languages.
18. Mauritania
Population: 4,863,000
French-speaking population: 689,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof
Mauritania is located in northwest Africa and is named for the ancient Berber Kingdom of Mauretania. According to the European Commission, around 90% of Mauritania’s territory is located in the Sahara Desert, so most of Mauritania’s inhabitants live along the coast. Its capital city, Nouakchott, struggles with a lack of potable water, very little rainfall, failing infrastructure, and flooding from the rising ocean.
Standard Arabic is the primary language of choice in Mauritania, and the country is a member of the Arab League.
19. Mauritius
Population: 1,263,000
French-speaking population: 921,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: English, Mauritian Creole
Mauritius is a tiny island country east of Madagascar. It was uninhabited until Arab explorers settled there in 975. English and French are the official languages, but most Mauritians speak Mauritian Creole fluently. With reefs on the coast and rainforests only several miles inland, Mauritius is also a popular vacation destination.
20. Morocco
Population: 38,128,000
French-speaking population: 13.9 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Berber
The land that is now Morocco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. It is bordered by the disputed territory Western Sahara. French is widely used in government, media, and international commerce, but it is not an official language. Moroccan style, inspired by the ornately painted patterns and deep blues of Marrakesh, is easily recognizable and quite popular around the world. Marrakesh, especially, is known for its unique intersection of Berber, Arabian, and European cultures.
21. Niger
Population: 28,059,000
French-speaking population: 3.7 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Buduma, Fulfulde, Gourmanchéma, Hausa, Kanuri, Zarma, Songhay, Tamasheq, Tassawaq, and Tebu
Niger is the largest landlocked country in West Africa. It’s named for the Niger River, which flows through the country. The territory was an important hub of trans-Saharan trade in the pre-colonial era. Today, Niger is a combination of four distinct cultural communities and has a variety of internationally intriguing festivals. The Cure Salée (salt cure) festival, a three-day affair featuring camel riders, is held annually in the Agadez Region to mark the end of the rainy season.
22. Rwanda
Population: 14,415,000
French-speaking population: 748,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Kinyarwanda, English, Swahili
Rwanda’s high elevation gives it the nickname “the land of a thousand hills.” In name, Rwanda is most recognizable for the Rwandan Civil War and subsequent genocide, stoked by German and Belgian imperial powers, that erupted in 1990 and came to a violent end in 1994.
Since then, Rwanda has enjoyed a period of growth and relative stability, though political repression is common. With three national parks, it is home to a variety of wildlife, including 1,000 mountain gorillas.
23. Senegal
Population: 18,276,000
French-speaking population: 5.2 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Wolof, Serer, Diola, Hassaniya, Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, Malinke, and 30 other Indigenous languages. (Ethnologue)
Senegal is the westernmost country in Africa. The region has been continuously occupied since prehistoric times. French is the official language of Senegal, but like all French-speaking countries in Africa, there are multiple Indigenous languages.
The most widely spoken language is Wolof. Most interesting is the country’s long-standing storytelling tradition. Professional storytellers known as griots train for years to accurately tell the genealogy, history, and music of the people. These stories, told through various mediums, contain thousands of years of West African history.
24. Seychelles
Population: 108,300
French-speaking population: 70,000 (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: English, Seychellois Creole
Seychelles is the smallest African country and the least populated sovereign African nation. It was uninhabited before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. Seychelles currently has the highest nominal per capita GDP of any African country and a very high Human Development Index. It is a very popular tourist destination.
25. Togo
Population: 9,261,000
French-speaking population: Almost 4 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: 40 living Indigenous languages (Ethnologue)
Togo is a small country on the West African coast. Though the country is under 115 km wide, it includes many distinct ethnic groups and spoken languages. Very few Togolese people speak French as their first language, but it is used in formal education, government, and media, earning it a place on the list of French-speaking countries in Africa.
26. Tunisia
Population: 12,565,000
French-speaking population: around 6.5 million (ODSEF “Francoscope”)
Other languages spoken: Arabic, Berber
Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa. The majority of the population is Arab and Muslim. French has no official status in Tunisia today, but it is commonly used in education and business settings. Signs in the country are usually written in Arabic and French.
Explore French-speaking countries around the world with Rosetta Stone
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The question isn’t so much how many countries in Africa speak French, but how many incredible communities you can get to know with French as a common language. With Rosetta Stone, you can get a deeper, broader, and more authentic understanding of French. Our Dynamic Immersion method helps you learn through context rather than rote memorization.
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