Education First (EF), a global leader in culturally immersive education, has released its 2025 English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), ranking Nigeria as the 29th best English-speaking country worldwide and fifth in Africa among 123 countries assessed. The comprehensive study, based on results from 2.2 million test takers who completed the EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET), marks a milestone by incorporating speaking and writing assessments for the first time using proprietary artificial intelligence technology. “English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication.
In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever,” said Kate Bell, author of the EF EPI and EF’s Head of Assessment. South Africa topped the African rankings at 13th globally, followed by Zimbabwe (also 13th globally), Kenya (19th), Zambia (27th), and Nigeria (29th), with Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Morocco completing the continent’s top ten.
Top 10 English-Speaking Countries in Africa:
1. South Africa (13th globally) – Leads Africa due to widespread English use in government, education, media, and business as an official language serving as a unifying medium in a multilingual society.
2. Zimbabwe (13th globally) – English serves as the primary language of instruction and administration, with high literacy rates and long-standing British educational influence maintaining strong proficiency.
3. Kenya (19th globally) – English, alongside Swahili, functions as an official language widely used in schools, courts, government institutions, and urban professional settings.
4. Zambia (27th globally) – English is the official language and main medium of instruction in schools, with consistent use in governance and education bolstering proficiency.
5. Nigeria (29th globally) – English serves as the official language and primary means of communication, widely used in education, governance, media, and business.
6. Ghana – English is the official language and main medium of instruction from primary to tertiary education, used extensively in public administration and international engagement.
7. Uganda – English is the official language, widely used in schools, government, and professional environments, playing an important role in regional trade and diplomacy.
8. Ethiopia – Although not official, English is widely taught in secondary schools and universities, serving as the main language for higher education and international affairs.
9. Tunisia – English use is growing, especially among youth and professionals, increasingly important in technology, tourism, and higher education despite Arabic and French dominance.
10. Morocco – English is gaining popularity among students and the business community, seen as a key tool for global trade and international relations.