Bantoid languages

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July 16, 2026

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The term "Bantoid" refers to languages or peoples related to the Bantu languages. Bantoid languages form the largest subgroup within the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. This group includes approximately 700 languages spoken across central, eastern, and southern Africa.123

The Bantoid languages are divided into northern and southern groups. The northern group consists of about 15 languages spoken in eastern Nigeria and Cameroon. The southern group is much larger, with over 100 languages, the most significant of which is Bantu itself, comprising over 500 languages spoken by around 85 million people across a vast area of Africa.34

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Benue-Congo languages
Bantoid
The 11th group within Benue-Congo, Bantoid, is far and away the largest not only in Benue-Congo but in Niger-Congo as a whole. Its 700 languages are spoken from eastern Nigeria across the rest of central, eastern, and southern Africa.
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The 11th group within Benue-Congo, Bantoid, is far and away the largest not only in Benue-Congo but in Niger-Congo as a whole. Its 700 languages are spoken from eastern Nigeria across the rest of central, eastern, and southern Africa.
Read More