Zambia’s linguistic landscape reflects its regional histories and daily life, with different languages shaping identity across towns and provinces. You’ll hear variations in markets, schools, and local media that point to how language and place connect here.
There are exactly 8 Official Languages in Zambia, ranging from Bemba to Tonga. For each entry you’ll find below the key details organized as Status,Regions,Speakers (est.), so you can quickly see where a language is used and how many people speak it — you’ll find below.
Which language is used by the government and in schools?
English is the primary language of government, courts, and formal education in Zambia, while the other official languages function regionally for administration, local media, and classroom instruction in some areas.
How reliable are the speaker numbers and where do they come from?
Speaker estimates come from national censuses and linguistic surveys and can differ by source and year; consult the Speakers (est.) column below and recent census or language surveys for the most up-to-date figures.
Official Languages in Zambia
| Language | Status | Regions | Speakers (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | official | Nationwide;government,education,urban areas | 5,000,000 |
| Bemba | constitutionally recognized national language | Northern,Luapula,Copperbelt,Central,Lusaka outskirts | 4,500,000 |
| Nyanja | constitutionally recognized national language | Eastern,Lusaka,Southern,Central provinces | 3,500,000 |
| Tonga | constitutionally recognized national language | Southern province,Lusaka outskirts | 2,500,000 |
| Lozi | constitutionally recognized national language | Western province (Barotseland) | 1,200,000 |
| Kaonde | constitutionally recognized national language | North-Western province,parts of Luapula | 800,000 |
| Lunda | constitutionally recognized national language | North-Western,Luapula provinces | 700,000 |
| Luvale | constitutionally recognized national language | North-Western,Luapula provinces | 600,000 |
Images and Descriptions
English
Zambia’s official language used in government, courts, higher education and nationwide media. Mostly a second language that links diverse ethnic groups and serves as the primary language of administration, formal schooling and interethnic communication.
Bemba
A major Bantu language and constitutional national language, Bemba serves as a regional lingua franca in northern and central Zambia. Prominent in local media, primary schooling and traditional leadership; rich in oral literature and political importance.
Nyanja
Also called Chinyanja or Chewa locally, Nyanja is a constitutional national language widely used around Lusaka and the east. Common in urban markets, radio, church services and primary education; it bridges communities across Zambia and neighbouring Malawi.
Tonga
Tonga is the main language of Southern Province and parts of Lusaka. Constitutionally recognized, it has strong cultural traditions, local media presence and use in early primary education and community life among Tonga-speaking peoples.
Lozi
Lozi (Silozi) is the language of Barotseland in Western Province and a constitutional national language. It has a historical royal court, distinctive oral history and is used in regional media, local administration and cultural ceremonies.
Kaonde
Kaonde is a recognized national language in northwestern Zambia. It is important in local administration, cultural identity and primary education in Kaonde-speaking districts, with growing use in regional radio and community programs.
Lunda
Lunda, recognized by the constitution, is spoken in northwestern and Luapula areas. It functions in community life, traditional institutions and local media; historically linked to cross-border Lunda-speaking communities in neighbouring countries.
Luvale
Luvale is a constitutionally recognized language concentrated in North-Western and Luapula provinces. It features in regional schooling, churches and radio, and maintains strong cultural practices and oral traditions among Luvale speakers.
