Languages of Niger

has 10 national languages, with Hausa being the official and most spoken language. Different sources estimate that Niger has between 8 and 20 indigenous languages, belonging to the Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan and Niger–Congo families – the discrepancy stems from the fact that several are closely related, and can be grouped together or considered apart.

Official languages

The sole official language of Niger is Hausa, which in 2025 replaced French, the previous official language.
French, inherited from the colonial period is spoken mainly as a second language by people who have received an education.
Although educated Nigeriens still constitute a relatively small percentage of the population, the French language is the language used by the official administration, the media and the business community.
Niger is a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie.
See also: African French
Niger has ten official national languages, namely Arabic, Buduma, Fulfulde, Gourmanchéma, Hausa, Kanuri, Zarma & Songhai, Tamasheq, Tassawaq, Tebu. These ten national languages, their language families, the approximate percentage of the population that speak them, their approximate home regions, and additional information are as follows:

Language	Family	Approx %	Main region	Notes
Hausa	Afro-Asiatic / Chadic	55.4%	South, central	Main trade language
Songhai	Songhay languages	21%	Southwest	Zarma and Songhay are considered together
Tamasheq	Afro-Asiatic / Berber	9.3%	North
Fulfulde	Niger–Congo / Atlantic	8.5%	All	Fulfulde of Western Niger & Central-Eastern Niger are considered together
Kanuri	Nilo-Saharan	4.7%	Southeast
Arabic	Afro-Asiatic / Semitic	0.4%	Southeast	Particularly spoken by the Diffa Arabs mainly in the Diffa Region
Gourmanchéma	Niger–Congo / Gur	0.4%	Southwest corner	Spoken mainly by the Gurma people of southwest Niger
Tebu	Nilo-Saharan	0.4%	East	Spoken mainly by the Toubou people of Eastern Niger
Other	N/A	0.1%	Throughout	Any other languages