how many languages in africa
A Guide to African Languages Listed by Country. â¢â¢â¢ Samburu Tribesman Talking on the Phone, Kenya. Even for a continent with 54 very different countries, Africa has a lot of languages. It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 languages are spoken here, many with their own set of varying dialects. To make things even more confusing, in many countries the official language is not the same as the lingua franca - that is, the language spoken by the majority of its citizens. If you're planning a trip to Africa, it's a good idea to research both the official language and the lingua franca of the country or region you're traveling to. 1  In this way, you can attempt to learn a few key words or phrases before you go.