10 of the most widely spoken languages in the Horn of Africa

1. Amharic: The official language of Ethiopia, Amharic is spoken by millions and serves as a lingua franca in the country.

2. Oromo: This Cushitic language is widely spoken in Ethiopia, particularly in the Oromia region, and has a significant number of speakers.

3. Somali: The official language of Somalia, Somali is also spoken in parts of Djibouti and Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali Region.

4. Tigrinya: Primarily spoken in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia, Tigrinya is an important Semitic language in the region.

5. Afar: Spoken by the Afar people in Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, Afar is a Cushitic language with a notable number of speakers.

6. Arabic: While not a native language in most areas of the Horn of Africa, Arabic is spoken in parts of Djibouti and has influence due to historical trade and religious ties.

7. Harari: A Semitic language spoken by the Harari people in eastern Ethiopia, it has deep cultural significance.

8. Sidamo: An Afro-Asiatic language spoken in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia, it is one of the many languages in the country’s diverse linguistic landscape.

9. Gurage: This is a group of related languages spoken by the Gurage people in Ethiopia, primarily in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR).

10. Saho: Spoken by the Saho people in Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia, Saho is another Cushitic language found in the region.