Full List of African Countries That Speaks French & Capitals

French seems to be the most broadly spoken foreign language in Africa. The language arrived on the African continent as a result of colonialism. French is still spoken in at least 29 African countries as of now.

So, where in Africa do people speak French? As we look at the whole list of French-speaking countries in Africa, we’ll find out more about them.

‍FULL LIST OF FRENCH SPEAKING AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND THEIR CAPITALS

The African countries with French as a major language and their capitals are listed below in alphabetical order.

ALGERIA – ALGIERS (CAPITAL)

Algeria is the world’s second-largest Francophone country by number of speakers. This language is spoken by around half of the country’s people. Algerians speak French as their first language, though the country is no longer a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie based on political issues with France. Algerian Arabic and Berber languages are the official languages of the North African country, despite the fact that French has no official status.

BENIN REPUBLIC – PORTO NOVO (CAPITAL)

Benin is an African country positioned in the west. The country is considered to possess one of the continent’s most stable governments. The medium of instruction of Benin, which has a population of 11 million people, is French. In addition to Fon, Ge, Bariba, Yoruba, and Dendi, the inhabitants of Benin speak Fon, Ge, Bariba, Yoruba, and Dendi.

BURKINA FASO – OUAGADOUGOU (CAPITAL)

Burkina Faso is an inland country in western Africa. It has an estimated population of 18.6 million people. It is one of Africa’s impoverished countries. Burkina Faso’s official language is French, but other indigenous languages are also spoken.

BURUNDI – BUJUMBURA (CAPITAL)

Burundi, with a population of around 10 million people, is another of the world’s poorest countries. Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups speak local languages in the country. Burundi is a country in eastern Africa with French and Kirundi as official languages.

CAMEROON – YAOUNDE (CAPITAL)

Cameroon is a country in Africa’s central region. The country boasts one of the continent’s highest literacy rates. Owing to its diversity, it is sometimes known as “Africa in miniature.” Cameroon’s official languages are French and English, which are spoken by approximately 200 ethnic groups. They also communicate in Bantu, Semi-Bantu, and Sudanic languages.

CHAD – N’DJAMENA (CAPITAL)

Tchad, or Chad, is Africa’s fifth-largest country and, as of 2003, has now become an official oil producer. The national and official language of this country of 11.8 million inhabitants are French and Arabic.

COMOROS – MORONI (CAPITAL)

Comoros is an African country that is located off the east coast. Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjouan, and Marchotte, as well as a number of other islands, make up the archipelago.

Comoros has an estimated population of 813,000 people, and the official languages are French, Arabic, and Comorian.

THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO – BRAZZAVILLE (CAPITAL)

Congo is a country with a population of 5 million inhabitants. It is a major oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Republic of Congo’s official language is French.

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – KINSHASA (CAPITAL)

This massive central African country is one of the most populous on the continent, with an estimated population of 81.5 million people. The primary language of this country is French, but it is also spoken in Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, and Tshiluba.

THE IVORY COAST – YAMOUSSOUKRO (CAPITAL)

The Ivory Coast is the greatest exporter of cocoa beans in the world, located in western Africa. In this country of 23.7 million inhabitants, French is the official language.

THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI – DJIBOUTI (CAPITAL)

Djibouti is the entry point to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The official language of this country of just about a million people is French. There are also Arabic, Somali, and Afar dialects spoken.

GABON – LIBREVILLE (CAPITAL)

Gabon is one of Western Africa’s most stable nations. It has a demographic of 1.5 million people who speak French as their first language. Other Bantu languages are also spoken in this region.

GUINEA – CONAKRY (CAPITAL)

Guinea is a country in western Africa with a population of 10.5 million people. Due to its tremendous natural wealth, the country has the potential to be one of Africa’s richest. Despite this, its citizens are among the poorest in the region. Guinea’s official language is French, but it also speaks Susu, Fulani, and Mandingo.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – MALABO (CAPITAL)

Equatorial Guinea is located slightly north of Gabon, closer to the equator. With a population of 1.2 million inhabitants, it is a small country. Spanish, French, and (as of 2010) Portuguese are the official languages.

MADAGASCAR – ANTANANARIVO (CAPITAL)

Madagascar is a huge island with a population of approximately 25 million people. In reality, it is the world’s fourth largest island! The country is off the eastern seaboard States. Madagascar is well-known for its flora and fauna. Malagasy and French are the official languages.

MALI – BAMAKO (CAPITAL)

Mali is among Africa’s largest countries. The official language is French, which is spoken by 18.5 million people. Bambara, Berber, and Arabic are among the other significant languages spoken.

NIGER – NIAMEY (CAPITAL)

Niger is located east of Mali, on the outskirts of the Sahara desert. The country is well-known as a significant transfer point for migrants en route to Europe. The population of Niger is 16.6 million people. The official language is French, however Hausa, Songhai, and Arabic are widely spoken.

THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – BANGUI (CAPITAL)

In central Africa, the Central African Republic is a landlocked republic. Diamonds, gold, oil, and uranium are all abundant in the country. Since 2014, the 4.7 million-strong population has been governed by a transitional government. Although French is the official language, Sangho is the country’s primary language.

RWANDA – KIGALI (CAPITAL)

Rwanda borders Burundi to the north. The struggle between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groupings has wreaked havoc on the country. The official languages of this country of 11.2 million people are Kinyarwanda, French, and English.

SENEGAL – DAKAR (CAPITAL)

Senegal has a reputation for being one of Africa’s exemplary democracies. It is located in northwest Africa and has a history of having consistent governments. Dakar is the country’s capital, with a population of 15.5 million people. The official language is French, and the lingua franca is Wolof.

THE SEYCHELLES – VICTORIA (CAPITAL)

This group of islands is located in the Indian Ocean to the north of Madagascar. The official languages of the 94,000 residents are French, English, and Seychellois Creole. The Seychelles have a high per capita income and excellent healthcare and education systems.

TOGO – LOME (CAPITAL)

The Republic of Togo is located in the western part Africa. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, it has strived to get to be a stable country. The official language of the 7.6 million-strong population is French.

CONCLUSION

The African countries and their capitals listed above speak French as their primary language. In Africa, there are several other countries where French is spoken, however it is not the official language. Algeria, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, and Tunisia are among these countries.