Hausa Bible Translation: Complete Audio Bible for Nigeria and Niger
Quick Reference
Language: Hausa
Native Speakers: 72+ million (making it one of Africa's largest languages)
Geographic Distribution: Northern Nigeria, Niger, and diaspora communities across West Africa
Translation Type: Full Bible
Recording/Publication Year: 2020 (most recent contemporary version © 2009-2019)
Producer Organization: Biblica, Inc. (in partnership with Davar)
Available Since: 2020
Language Context: Where Hausa Is Spoken
Hausa is spoken by approximately 72 million native speakers and millions more as a second language, making it one of the most widely spoken languages across West Africa. It is primarily used in northern Nigeria—where the vast majority of speakers reside—and in Niger, with significant diaspora communities throughout West Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Beyond its role as a mother tongue, Hausa functions as a critical trade language connecting multiple ethnic groups across the Sahel region. For centuries, Hausa merchants have used the language for commerce across national borders, and it remains the lingua franca of major markets and trading centers throughout West Africa. This dual role—as both a primary language for millions and a bridge language for inter-ethnic communication—makes Hausa uniquely positioned in the region's economic and cultural landscape.
Hausa belongs to the Chadic language family and is closely related to languages like Margi and Bole. It is spoken primarily in urban centers like Kano and Katsina, as well as across rural areas of northern Nigeria. Speaker demographics are diverse: Hausa is increasing in use among younger generations in urban areas, particularly in cities like Lagos where it serves as a lingua franca alongside English. The language carries deep cultural significance for Hausa communities, reflecting centuries of Islamic scholarship, trade traditions, and rich oral literary heritage.
What's Included: Translation Details
Scope of This Translation
This is a complete Full Bible translation, containing both the Old Testament and New Testament in their entirety. The Biblica® Open Hausa Contemporary Bible represents a modern, accessible translation designed for contemporary Hausa speakers.
Source & Production Details
Original Publisher: Biblica, Inc. (© 2009, 2019)
Audio Recording: Biblica, Inc. and Davar (℗ 2020)
Translation Type: Contemporary Language Version (emphasizing readability and meaning over word-for-word literalism)
Audio Format: High-quality professional recording suitable for mobile devices and offline download
Translation Notes
The Biblica® Open Hausa Contemporary Bible represents one of the most recent major translation efforts for Hausa speakers. As a "contemporary" version, it prioritizes clarity and accessibility for modern Hausa speakers—particularly important given the language's wide geographic distribution and diverse literacy levels across Nigeria and Niger. The 2009-2019 copyright span reflects Biblica's commitment to continuous refinement and accuracy in the translation work.
The audio recording, completed in 2020, brings this translation to mobile-first audiences across West Africa. This is particularly significant for regions where oral communication remains dominant and where mobile phone penetration has expanded dramatically but internet bandwidth may be limited. The audio format makes scripture accessible to speakers with varying literacy levels and allows for community listening experiences in churches, households, and marketplace settings—honoring Hausa's oral traditions while meeting contemporary needs.
Why This Translation Matters
The Hausa Bible translation represents a critical resource for approximately 72 million speakers across West Africa—a population that rivals or exceeds many countries' total populations. This scale alone makes Hausa Bible accessibility a strategic priority for faith communities and organizations serving the region.
Population Impact: The Hausa-speaking population is distributed across northern Nigeria (approximately 55+ million speakers), Niger, and West African diaspora communities. Hausa speakers represent one of Nigeria's largest ethnic-linguistic groups and a crucial demographic for Bible translation initiatives. The rapid urbanization of Hausa speakers—particularly in Lagos and other Nigerian cities—has created new contexts for scripture engagement among young, digitally-connected audiences.
Digital Underservice: While Hausa is among the world's largest languages, digital Bible resources in Hausa historically lagged behind major global languages. Prior to widespread audio Bible availability, Hausa speakers often relied on text translations (where literacy allowed) or translations in neighboring languages. The 2020 audio release addresses this gap directly, bringing contemporary scripture to a population that had limited access to professional audio Bible recordings. This is particularly significant in regions where mobile devices are the primary—or only—access point for digital content.
Language Significance: Hausa functions as far more than a heritage language; it is the economic and cultural lifeline of West African trade networks. As a lingua franca, Hausa connects traders, merchants, and communities across national borders in ways few other African languages do. This translation ensures that Hausa speakers—whether in their home regions or in diaspora communities—have access to scripture in the language of daily commerce, family life, and community identity. For faith-based organizations working across West Africa, Hausa Bible availability enables communication and discipleship in the language where people naturally gather and conduct business.
Translation Timeline & Quality: The 2009-2019 copyright timeline reflects nearly a decade of translation refinement before the 2020 audio release. Biblica's contemporary approach positions this translation for accessibility among diverse Hausa audiences: urban youth, market traders, rural communities, and diaspora members. The professional audio production quality enables distribution through Davar's platform and mobile apps, reaching audiences with limited bandwidth and varying technological infrastructure—precisely the contexts where Hausa speakers across Nigeria and Niger operate.
Listen & Download
Audio Now Available:
🎧 Listen to Hausa Bible on ethnē App
Device Compatibility: iOS, Android, Feature Phone-compatible formats via sharing (eventually)
Format: MP3 (streaming and download)
Access the complete Hausa Bible in audio form, optimized for areas with varying connectivity and device capabilities across Nigeria and Niger.
Additional Resources
Other Bible Translations in Nigeria in ethnē: (If Available - example only)
- Igbo Bible Audio
- Yoruba Bible Audio
- Biblica® Open Igbo Contemporary Bible
Explore Bible translations in other major Nigerian languages. If you speak multiple Nigerian languages, discover scripture resources in your other communities of faith.
Bible Translations in Niger: (if available - example only)
- Zarma Bible (Old Testament)
- Hausa Bible resources
Hausa speakers in Niger can access this translation alongside other West African language resources available through Davar.
About Hausa Language & Culture:
Learn more about Biblica's translation methodology and explore the full range of African language Bibles available through Davar.