[2] The specific name francisci honours A. C. Francis, a colonial administrator in Nigeria and the collector of the holotype.

The dorsal colouration is brown, with some specimens having dark, light, irregularly shaped spots.

[5] Phrynobatrachus francisci is a very common species that inhabits both humid and dry savanna.

[1] Phrynobatrachus francisci are parasitized by intradermal larvae of the chigger mite Endotrombicula pillersi (family Trombiculidae).

Only the most heavily infested frogs showed pathological effects of mites.