EN
The questions of protecting native African languages and cultures as the main components of ethnocultural identity in Sub-Saharan Africa are dealt with. Language policies in relation to the languages of former metropolises depending on the language of state governance are compared. The reasons and causes of failures connected with attempts by newly independent African regimes to replace European languages in the main spheres of state and public life with native African languages are considered. The role of education in maintaining and developing local languages and cultures is shown.