# African First Words — Fun learning African languages

> Learn 135 essential words in 8 African languages with games and native audio. (iPhone/iPad app by Nkyea Learning Systems.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/african-first-words/id1278739457 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Nkyea Learning Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/354134066)
- Category: Education, Games, Family, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 107 App Store ratings · 45 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 118 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-12-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/african-first-words/id1278739457/reviews.md

## What is African First Words?

If you want to start learning your first words in an African language then you should install African First Words now. African First Words teaches you to say 135 essential words each in 12 topics. Below are the topics you will learn in each language.

1. Numbers
2. Colours
3. Shapes
4. Fruits
5. Food
6. Animals
7. Human body
8. Clothes
9. Things at home
10. Transport
11. Nature
12. Vegetables

In African First Words you will learn 8 African languages including Hausa, Igbo, Swahili, Twi, Wolof, Xhosa, Yoruba and Zulu. Even though the app can be used by anybody it is more suitable for children with it beautiful drawings and animations.

African First words uses beautiful drawings to teach you how to say all the words. All the words are voiced by native speakers from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa. You can listen to the words normally or you can listen to them slowly so that you hear them properly.

African First Words uses beautifully drawn animated fun games to help you retain what you learn. Each topic includes a corresponding game where you help a bird get to its nest, a giraffe to eat leaves from a tree, a donkey to drink water in a stream and a bee to find a flower. These games will engage and help you to learn all the words.
You can also check your score to know how you are doing from the game stats or go to the Game Center and see how you compare to other people playing the games.

## Key features

- 135 essential words per language
- 12 learning topics
- 8 African languages
- Native speaker audio
- Animated learning games
- Progress tracking
- Slow playback option

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Learn Twi First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Hausa First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Igbo First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Yoruba First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Swahili First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Wolof First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Zulu First Words | $2.99 | one-time |
| Learn Xhosa First Words | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 45)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/african-first-words/id1278739457/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Helps for grade 4 Zulu

*2025-08-11, version 1.1.0*

It helps me with my Zulu for school

### 2/5 — Needs a lot of work

*2025-05-20, version 1.1.0*

It’s a beautiful app but it’s not accurate and doesn’t have sound. I would love to use it but the fruit section is completely incorrect. One of the questions asks you to identify bread and it only shows fruit choices.

### 5/5 — Good

*2024-07-12, version 1.1.0*

Great

### 5/5 — Nice

*2023-12-20, version 1.1.0*

Very useful, and you dont need to know to much English to understand. Very sweet animations of animals. There are a lot of ads, however i understand this is because the developers need money. Thank you guys! Resources for Wolof are very hard to find, which is aggravating considering that 8 million people speak it.

Another note is that the ‘boooo’ noise should be adjustable, it is effective but aggressive and alarming haha (i find it funny, but I’ve heard that can upset those with sensory issues and rejection sensitivity)

### 1/5 — Paid for the full version but didn’t get it

*2023-10-16, version 1.1.0*

The app is very cute, so I decided to buy the full version. The purchase went through and I was charged but the screen keeps saying loading product and it has been for hours. Stick with the free version. Don’t waste your money on the full version, it will only take your money.

### 4/5 — Zulu

*2023-08-02, version 1.1.0*

Good app only problem is when I got the Zulu first words it didn’t work

### 3/5 — Vainabakasna

*2023-07-28, version 1.1.0*

Is good but me wana learn more but me have no mony to pay bt buombo klat

### 5/5 — Tolle App

*2023-05-18*

Da ich aus einer Familie stamme in der  man igbo spricht ist das perfekt für mich ich bin zwar 12 Jahre alt doch daseist das was ich brauche daaaanke

### 4/5 — Nice and fun. No audio

*2023-05-12, version 1.1.0*

No audio but still fun

### 1/5 — Where is what I paid for please?

*2023-03-27, version 1.1.0*

Paid 49 rand to open next level and two days later still waiting for what I paid for.

## Frequently asked questions about African First Words

### What does African First Words teach?

This app teaches you 135 essential words in each of the 8 supported African languages. The vocabulary is divided into 12 distinct topics, including numbers, colors, fruits, animals, and more, making it a comprehensive introduction to basic words.

### What African languages are included?

The app covers 8 popular African languages: Hausa, Igbo, Swahili, Twi, Wolof, Xhosa, Yoruba, and Zulu. This variety allows users to explore different linguistic landscapes of the continent.

### How does the app help with learning?

Learning is facilitated through beautiful drawings, animations, and audio recordings by native speakers. The app also includes fun, animated games designed to reinforce vocabulary retention and engagement.

### Is this app suitable for children?

Yes, the app is particularly suitable for children due to its beautiful drawings, animations, and engaging games. The interactive nature of the learning process is designed to keep young learners entertained and motivated.

### Can I track my progress?

You can check your score and monitor your learning progress through the game statistics. The app also features a Game Center where you can compare your performance with other users, adding a competitive element to the learning experience.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.1.0 — 2017-12-23

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

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## More apps by Nkyea Learning Systems

- [Nkyea Twi Phrasebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nkyea-twi-phrasebook/id354134063)
- [Swahili Primer - Learn To Speak And Write Swahili Language: Grammar, Vocabulary & Exercises](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swahili-primer-learn-to-speak-and-write-swahili-language-grammar-vocabulary-and-exercises/id439407285)
- [Twi Primer - Learn To Speak And Write Akan Twi Language: Grammar, Vocabulary & Exercises](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twi-primer-learn-to-speak-and-write-akan-twi-language-grammar-vocabulary-and-exercises/id870111391)
- [Nkyea Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nkyea-keyboard/id926503331)
- [Swahili Phrasebook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swahili-phrasebook/id980990946)
- [Kiddie Twi First Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kiddie-twi-first-words/id1037269903)

All apps by Nkyea Learning Systems: https://appshunter.io/developer/354134066

## Related topics

[learn languages african](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/learn-languages-african) · [africa learning](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/africa-learning) · [nkyea learning systems](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nkyea-learning-systems)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*