Language Niger

What are the official and national languages of Niger?

The sole official language of Niger is Hausa, which in 2025 replaced French, the previous official language. French, inherited from the colonial period, is mainly spoken as a second language by those who have received an education – about 20% of the population overall and 47% in cities, with growing literacy rates. Though educated Nigeriens still form a minority, French remains the language of administration, courts, government, media, and business. Niger is a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie.

In addition to the sole official language, Niger recognises ten national languages: Arabic, Buduma, Fulfulde, Gourmanchéma, Hausa, Kanuri, Zarma and Songhai, Tamasheq, Tassawaq, and Tebu. These national languages correspond broadly to ethnic groups and geographic areas.

Which language is the most widely spoken in Niger?

Hausa is the most widely spoken language, with around 55.4% of the population using it, mainly in the southern and central regions. It is the main trade language and serves as a unifying language across much of Niger.

What are the major language families in Niger and where are they spoken?

Niger’s languages belong primarily to three language families: Afro-Asiatic, Niger–Congo, and Nilo-Saharan.

Afro-Asiatic languages include Hausa, Arabic, and the Berber variety Tamasheq. Hausa is a West Chadic language spoken mostly in the central and southern parts of Niger. Arabic is spoken mainly by the Diffa Arabs in the southeast, while Tamasheq is spoken by Tuareg people in the northern desert.

Niger–Congo languages comprise languages like Fulfulde, spoken by the widely dispersed Fulani people, and Gourmanchéma, which is concentrated mainly in the southwest.

Nilo-Saharan languages include Kanuri, spoken near Lake Chad in the southeast; Songhai, spoken in the southwest; and Tebu, spoken by the Toubou people in the east.

What is the role of French today in Niger?

Even though French lost its status as an official language in 2025, it remains a working language, especially in administration, education, media, and urban areas. French literacy is increasing, but it is spoken as a second language by a minority compared to the widespread use of native languages.

Basic Hausa Phrases to Learn