Quick answer: The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, which serves as the primary language for government, schools, media, and business. However, it is spoken by only about half of the population. Most Mozambicans grow up speaking one of more than 40 native African languages, such as Emakhuwa, which is the most widely spoken first language, or Xichangana.
By Anselmo Boaventura
Short answer: The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, a legacy of nearly five centuries of Portuguese presence that ended with independence in 1975. But Portuguese is spoken by only around half of the population, and fewer use it at home. Most Mozambicans grow up speaking one of more than 40 African languages, such as Emakhuwa, Xichangana, Cisena or Cindau.
The main languages of Mozambique
| Language | Where you hear it most |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | Government, schools, cities, media — everywhere |
| Emakhuwa (Makhuwa) | Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado, northern Zambézia — the most widely spoken first language |
| Xichangana (Changana) | Maputo and Gaza provinces in the south |
| Cisena (Sena) | Sofala, Tete and the Zambezi valley |
| Echuwabo (Chuwabo) | Zambézia, around Quelimane |
| Cindau (Ndau) | Manica and Sofala, near Zimbabwe |
| Cinyanja (Nyanja) | Niassa and Tete, near Malawi |
| Xitswa, Gitonga, Xironga | Inhambane and Maputo provinces |
| Kiswahili | Along the northern coast near Tanzania |
All of these African languages belong to the Bantu family, so neighbouring languages often share words and grammar.
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Do people speak English in Mozambique?
Some do, especially in Maputo, in tourism areas such as Tofo, Vilankulo and Ponta do Ouro, and in business. Mozambique is surrounded by English-speaking neighbours — South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Eswatini — and is a member of the Commonwealth. In rural areas, though, a few words of Portuguese go much further than English.
Useful Portuguese phrases for visitors
| English | Portuguese (Mozambique) |
|---|---|
| Hello / good morning | Olá / Bom dia |
| Thank you | Obrigado (man) / Obrigada (woman) |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa? |
| Please | Por favor |
| Farmer | Agricultor / Camponês |
| Field (family farm plot) | Machamba |
Machamba — the family field — is one of the first words you will hear in rural Mozambique.
Why language matters for farmers
Most government notices, seed packets, fertilizer labels and loan forms are written in Portuguese. Many rural farmers, especially women, mainly speak a local language. That is one reason good farming advice often fails to reach them — and why we publish our practical farming guides in Portuguese as well as English:
- A Natureza da Semente — the seed guide in Portuguese
- A Natureza da Terra Agrícola — the land guide in Portuguese
Frequently asked questions
What is the official language of Mozambique? Portuguese.
What is the most spoken language in Mozambique? Portuguese is the most widely understood across the country, while Emakhuwa is the most common first language.
How many languages are spoken in Mozambique? More than 40, most of them Bantu languages.
Is English spoken in Mozambique? In cities, tourist areas and business, yes; in rural areas, Portuguese or a local language is far more useful.
You can help a Mozambican farmer — whatever language they speak — by sponsoring a farmer from $25. Your gift pays for seed and fertilizer at their local shop, and you get the receipt. Sponsorships are gifts, not investments.