Where are Niger-Congo languages spoken in western Africa?

Niger-Congo languages are the most widespread language family in Africa, and in western Africa, they are spoken across a vast region stretching from Senegal at the westernmost tip of the continent.12

While these languages are spoken throughout much of the continent, their presence in western Africa is particularly significant. For instance, the Benue-Congo branch—the largest within the family—has a high concentration of its groups spoken almost entirely within Nigeria. Additionally, languages such as Yoruba are spoken throughout southwestern Nigeria as well as in Benin and Togo.3

In western Africa, certain languages also serve as a lingua franca, such as Fula, which is an Atlantic language of the Niger-Congo family. The geographic distribution of these languages is a result of historical migrations, including the expansion of peoples from the area of the Bight of Benin.2