NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has been ranked among the top ten English-speaking countries in Africa, outperforming regional heavyweights such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda and Morocco, according to a new global survey.
The ranking is contained in the 2025 English Proficiency Index (EPI) released by Education First (EF), the world’s largest private education company specialising in language training. In the report, Kenya placed third on the continent, behind South Africa and Zimbabwe.
How the Ranking Was Done
The survey, conducted last year, assessed adult English language skills across 123 countries and regions worldwide, drawing from results of more than 2.2 million participants.
Of those who completed the EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET), 54pc were female and 46pc male, with the average age standing at 26.
Africa’s Top English-Speaking Countries
Continentally, South Africa emerged top, followed by Zimbabwe, Kenya in third place and Zambia in fourth.
EF noted that English remains one of the most widely spoken and utilised languages in these countries, particularly in government operations, education systems and the media.
In Kenya, the widespread use of English is largely rooted in the colonial period, when it was established as the official language and later entrenched in the country’s education and administrative systems.
Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda ranked fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, while Ethiopia, Tunisia and Morocco completed the top ten.
While English is an official language in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda, EF observed that it remains unofficial in Ethiopia, though it is widely used in schools.
Why English Proficiency Matters
“English proficiency reflects a workforce’s capacity to engage with the global economy beyond national boundaries,” the report noted.
“In economies transitioning toward knowledge-based sectors, comfort with English often signals adaptability to international standards.”
Kenya’s Global Position
On the global scale, Kenya ranked 19th worldwide.
The Netherlands topped the global list, followed by Croatia, Australia and Germany. Other countries in the global top ten were Norway, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Slovakia.
The ranking reinforces Kenya’s position as one of Africa’s leading English-speaking nations, with language skills seen as a key driver for international competitiveness and economic growth.
