What are the colonial (European) languages spoken in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Sub-Saharan Africa is a vast and diverse region with a complex linguistic landscape. Here are some of the major colonial languages spoken in the region, grouped by the former colonial power:

French:

* West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo

* Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo

* East Africa: Burundi, Rwanda

* Southern Africa: Madagascar (though Madagascar has its own unique language family, French is a major language due to colonial influence)

English:

* West Africa: Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone

* East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

* Southern Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Portuguese:

* West Africa: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe

* East Africa: Mozambique

Spanish:

* Equatorial Guinea: Spanish is an official language, though the majority of the population speaks Bantu languages.

Other Languages:

* German: Namibia (although German is not officially recognized, it has a significant presence in the country due to its German colonial past)

* Italian: Eritrea (Italian is no longer an official language, but it still has a presence in the country due to its Italian colonial past)

Important Notes:

* This list is not exhaustive, as there are many other languages spoken in Sub-Saharan Africa, including indigenous languages and languages brought by diaspora communities.

* The presence and prominence of these colonial languages vary greatly within each country.

* The influence of these languages is often debated. Some argue they are a unifying force and provide access to global knowledge and opportunities, while others argue they suppress local languages and cultures.

It is crucial to remember that Sub-Saharan Africa is incredibly diverse and its linguistic landscape is just one example of its complexity.