Top 10 Most Visited News Websites in Francophone Africa
Francophone Africa represents one of the most dynamic and often under-analyzed segments of the continent’s digital media ecosystem. Spanning North, West, and Central Africa, this region combines large population centers, strong mobile penetration, and a growing appetite for real-time news across politics, business, and society.
Understanding which platforms command the highest traffic is more than a ranking exercise. It reveals where attention is concentrated, where narratives originate, and which publishers shape public discourse at scale.
Using verified audience data from the RANKED2026 dataset by SquirrelPR, we identified the leading news websites in Francophone Africa based on total traffic and monthly averages in 2025.
Below are the Top News Websites in Francophone Africa by Traffic and what makes each platform influential.
1. 7sur7 (DRC)
7sur7 recorded 163,600,000 visits in 2025, averaging approximately 13,640,000 monthly visits, making it the most visited news platform in Francophone Africa. Based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the platform focuses heavily on politics, governance, and national affairs. It has built a reputation for rapid reporting and strong coverage of breaking news, particularly around government activity and public policy. Its dominance reflects both high local demand and its ability to consistently deliver timely updates in a fast-moving political environment.
2. Hespress (Morocco)
Hespress generated 141,100,000 visits in 2025, with an average of 11,760,000 monthly visits, positioning it as one of Morocco’s largest digital-native news platforms. Founded in 2007 by Hassan El Guennouni and Amine El Guennoun, Hespress is widely regarded as a pioneer in Morocco’s online journalism space. It covers politics, social issues, international affairs, and economic developments. Its strength lies in combining high publishing frequency with strong audience engagement, making it a central platform for public discourse in Morocco.
3. Akhbarona (Morocco)
Akhbarona recorded 84,100,000 visits in 2025, averaging about 7,008,000 monthly visits. The platform focuses on breaking news, politics, and trending societal issues. Known for its fast-paced reporting style, Akhbarona attracts a large audience seeking immediate updates. Its ability to quickly publish and distribute content across digital channels contributes significantly to its high traffic volume.
4. L’Avenir (DRC)
L’Avenir generated 58,050,000 visits in 2025, with approximately 4,838,000 monthly visits. As one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s established media brands, L’Avenir combines traditional journalism with digital publishing. It covers politics, business, and national development issues, appealing to readers interested in structured reporting and institutional perspectives. Its longevity contributes to its credibility and consistent readership.
5. Goud.ma (Morocco)
Goud.ma recorded 53,040,000 visits in 2025, averaging around 4,420,000 monthly visits. Founded by journalist Ahmed Najim, Goud.ma stands out for its distinctive editorial tone and independent voice. The platform blends political reporting with social commentary and lifestyle content, often taking a bold and unconventional approach to storytelling. This unique positioning has helped it build a loyal and engaged audience.
6. Seneweb (Senegal)
Seneweb attracted 49,650,000 visits in 2025, with an average of 4,137,000 monthly visits. Launched in 2000, Seneweb is one of Senegal’s most influential digital platforms. Originally created to serve the Senegalese diaspora, it has evolved into a comprehensive news hub covering politics, business, culture, and international affairs. Its strong diaspora readership significantly contributes to its traffic scale and cross-border influence.
7. Rue20 (Morocco)
Rue20 generated 45,770,000 visits in 2025, averaging approximately 3,814,000 monthly visits. The platform is known for its focus on breaking news, public affairs, and social issues. Its fast reporting cycle and strong digital distribution strategy allow it to capture audience attention during major national developments. Rue20 has established itself as a key player in Morocco’s competitive media landscape.
8. Le Soleil (Senegal)
Le Soleil recorded 32,450,000 visits in 2025, with an average of 4,137,000 monthly visits. As one of Senegal’s most established state-owned newspapers, Le Soleil carries significant institutional authority. Its digital platform extends this legacy, covering government policy, economic development, and national affairs. Its credibility and formal reporting style make it a trusted source for readers seeking verified information.
9. Igihe (Rwanda)
Igihe generated 31,990,000 visits in 2025, averaging approximately 2,666,000 monthly visits. Although Rwanda is not traditionally grouped within Francophone West or North Africa, Igihe plays an important role in French-language digital publishing in Central/East Africa. The platform operates in multiple languages, including French and English, and covers politics, business, technology, and social issues. Its multilingual approach expands its reach across different audience segments.
10. Alyaoum24 (Morocco)
Alyaoum24 recorded 26,600,000 visits in 2025, with an average of 2,217,000 monthly visits. The platform focuses on political reporting, investigative journalism, and economic analysis. Known for its critical and independent editorial stance, Alyaoum24 attracts readers interested in in-depth reporting and nuanced perspectives on Moroccan and regional issues.
Want deeper insights?
The full RANKED2026 report by SquirrelPR breaks down traffic trends, audience geography, domain authority signals, and growth patterns across hundreds of African media platforms. It provides the intelligence needed to understand where influence lives, how it shifts, and which platforms truly shape narratives across the continent.
Get the full Ranked 2026 Report