Senegal, long considered a bastion of Francophonie in West Africa, is experiencing a significant linguistic shift. While French remains the official language, its influence is waning in favor of Wolof, the most widely spoken local language. Out of Senegal’s 17 million people, over 12 million speak Wolof, compared to around 4 million French speakers. This shift aligns with a broader trend in West Africa, where nations are reevaluating their relationships with France. In Senegal, the change has been gradual but noticeable, with increasing use of Wolof in advertising, academic settings, and literature.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 09, 2024 13:49 UTC