Top 12 English Speaking Countries in Africa

2. Kenya

Ranking 2nd in our list of the top 12 English-speaking countries in Africa is Kenya. The country’s two official languages are English and Swahili. English is commonly used in significant areas such as business, higher education, and government. Documents like bills presented to the National Assembly are usually drafted in English. Television broadcasts and print materials are available in both Swahili and English. Radio broadcasts cater to diverse audiences by featuring Swahili, English, and various African languages. In rural schools, children are initially taught in their local language, but they also receive instruction in both Swahili and English.

The introduction of the English language to Kenya occurred during the colonization by the United Kingdom in 1895 when the East Africa Protectorate was established and later became a colony in 1920. Despite Swahili’s prevalence as a trade language along the Swahili Coast during colonization, the British diminished its influence, opting for English as the instructional language in Kenyan schools. Even after Kenya gained independence on December 12, 1963, English continued to be an official language alongside Swahili, which is also recognized as the national language. While English is not as commonly spoken as native languages in Kenya, it holds prominence in areas like media, government, and schools. Kenyan English, a local dialect, is spoken by various communities in Kenya and some Kenyan expatriates abroad. This dialect incorporates unique features influenced by local Bantu languages, including Swahili.

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