The status and future of the French language in sub-Saharan African countries are the subjects covered in this article. French was introduced to Africa by the French and Belgians during the scramble for Africa. After the independence of the French-speaking colonies in the 1950s and 1960s, governments kept their language policy and French as the official language. Today, the situation remains unchanged and French is still used in government and education in the former French and Belgian colonies. The strong position of French in the public sector is not reflected in the use of the language by citizens. In the first chapter the status of the French language in the world and in Africa, specifically sub-Saharan, will be treated. In the second chapter, the future of the French language in sub-Saharan Africa with particular attention to education will be examined. The development of the French language as well as other alternatives to replace it as the official language in this region will also be discussed.