Why have English and French been used as official languages of government in man

Question: Why have English and French been used as official languages of government in many African nations!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

These African countries used the languages of the European countries that colonized them!.

This had two advantages: It provided a common language for the entire country (which often consisted of many different tribes/nationalities); and was already the common language of the educated elite that would have brought about independence, besides being the common language of business!.
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England and France colonized most of the African countries!. In fact the boundaries (or borders) of most African countries were created (or determined by the two Imperial powers!. Germany and Portugal also colonized a few African countries!. Black people had to learn English or French to communicate with their Imperial masters!. Some Africans (blacks) were taken to England and France for further (higher) education!. Their laws were written in English or French!. The black man had no choice but to learn the language of the colonial master!. The blacks who got good education were then given jobs (clerical officers, teachers, district officers, etc!.) and paid salaries by the colonial government!. That is why educated people in Africa speak a minimum of three languages (English or French, their native language (mother tongue) and Kiswahili in some parts of Africa!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

France and England have been the two primary imperial powers responsible for colonising African nations!. Once they had established modern administrative and educational infrastructures, it was very hard to dismantle!. Many African languages lacked the technical framework required by international commerce, for example, and it was often easier to maintain traditional links by relying on a common colonial language!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

French has long been the international language of diplomacy and English has joined it to become the two official languages of the United Nations!. At one time or another European countries were in control of most of the African countries!. Some countries had so many dialects that using English or French was a way of uniting some countries!. Many African counties have only been independent nations since the early 1960s!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

they've been colonized by the english and the french
and the language spread in those countriesWww@QuestionHome@Com