Why French Speaking Africa?
Christian resources are more readily available in English-speaking Africa than in French-speaking Africa according to many sources. I can think of several reasons for this:
The English-speaking world (primarily Great Britain and the USA) produces many more books, articles, and classes for pastors and ministry leaders than the French-speaking world. France, in particular, has many fewer Christians per capita than Britain or the US.
English-speaking Africa is wealthier per capita than French-speaking Africa. These two maps will help illustrate this: WDI - The World by Income and Region (worldbank.org) &
Francophone African countries classified by World Bank income level(researchgate.net)English speaking African countries are more accessible to English-speaking tourists and short-term missionaries. Historically, missionaries first went to colonies controlled by their homelands. Protestant churches were established in English-speaking countries earlier than in French-speaking countries.
To illustrate how this plays out in our world today let me tell you about my town’s local pregnancy resource center. The director has a heart for women who seek good information about abortion and the alternatives that are available. Besides reaching our geographical area she had a vision to reach anyone looking for answers on the internet.
The pregnancy center started an (English) online chat ministry for anyone asking about unplanned pregnancies. They soon realized that many of their clients lived in Africa. Africans who understand English found a resource for godly, Christian counsel.
The same need for this information exists in French-speaking countries, but no-one has started such a ministry. That’s not because they have something against the French-speaking world. There are simply many more resources available in the English-speaking world, and it’s natural to start with “low hanging fruit” – English speakers.
