The development of literacy in indigenous languages in west African francophone countries : challenges and expectations

The French style of governance during colonisation was “assimilation”. It made French the only medium of instruction and communication in schools, thus annihilating African languages and cultures. Francophone African countries are now struggling to include their indigenous languages into the school curriculum. This article examines the challenges faced by francophone countries like Benin Republic, in their quest to elevate the status of indigenous languages. It submits that indigenous languages should be promoted alongside the official language for better understanding and national development. The article concludes that the revival of indigenous languages in schools’ curriculum is key to African technological development.