Top 15 English Speaking Countries in Africa

Minal Zaheer
9 min read

In This Article:

In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 English speaking countries in Africa. If you would like to skip our discussion on English proficiency in Africa, you can go to the Top 5 English Speaking Countries in Africa.

English serves as the primary language for many international organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization, as well as for major events like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Its prevalence can be traced back to the influence of the British Empire during the colonial era and the dominance of the USA post-World War II. English is widely used in Africa as well, with 27 out of 54 countries claiming it as an official language. Africa is the second largest continent both in terms of landmass and population, with an estimated 1.48 billion inhabitants as of 2024. The continent is home to eleven of the world’s fastest-growing economies, making it the second most rapidly developing continent after Asia. Reports suggest that only around 130 million out of the continent's over 1 billion population are fluent English speakers, while approximately 237 million can communicate with some degree of fluency, often as a second language alongside their native tongue.

However, in certain countries, English has evolved into such a localized form that native English speakers may struggle to understand it. For instance, in West Africa, a distinct form of English known as Pidgin English is widely used in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, where approximately 75 million people report proficiency in Pidgin English. This language variant blends unique phrases from English with elements of native languages, leading to a hybrid form of English that may seem quite different from standard English. Another linguistic form is creole, a simplified or amalgamated language derived from one or more languages or dialects.

Many nations across Africa are witnessing the rise of a skilled workforce, which will contribute to their own development as well as that of the continent. The emergence of a skilled workforce across the continent is tied to the strength of their educational systems. Interestingly, the best English-speaking countries in Africa often have strong educational infrastructures. These countries are becoming increasingly relevant on the global stage due to their high English proficiency, quality education systems, and growing youth population. Africa, as a continent, is experiencing significant growth, with the real gross domestic product (GDP) projected to expand at the rates of 3.8% and 4.2% in 2024 and 2025, respectively. These growth rates surpass the global averages forecasted at 2.9% and 3.2%. Among the African countries expected to display strong economic performance are Niger, Senegal, Libya, Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Benin, Djibouti, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda, with growth rates ranging from 6% to 11%. Multinational corporations like BMW, General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), Vodafone Group plc (LON:VOD), and Standard Bank Group Ltd (JSE:SBK) are among those expanding their presence in Africa due to the continent’s positive growth prospects.

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