The official language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is French. This reflects the country's colonial history, as Congo was a Belgian colony until gaining independence in 1960. In addition to French, there are several national languages, including Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and Tshiluba, which are spoken by different ethnic groups across the vast nation. While French is used in government, education, and media, the inclusion of multiple languages emphasizes the country’s diverse cultural landscape. This multilingualism enriches Congolese society, allowing for various expressions of identity and communication among its people.