Zimbabwe Shines As The Best English Speaking Country In Africa In 2025 Rankings, Tied With South Africa
Zimbabwe has claimed a spot at the pinnacle of English proficiency in Africa, sharing the continent’s top honour with South Africa in a major global study released in 2025. The latest EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), published by the international education organisation Education First (EF), analysed data from over 2.2 million test takers worldwide. The findings reveal a European stronghold at the very top of the global table, while Southern Africa leads the continent in the language skills deemed vital for international trade and diplomacy.
Global Leaders and African Champions
The 2025 index crowns the Netherlands as the world’s top performer for English proficiency, with a score of 624. European nations hold all ten spots in the elite “Very High Proficiency” band, demonstrating the continent’s strong emphasis on multilingual education. However, within Africa, the competition is led by two southern neighbours.
South Africa and Zimbabwe are tied for the highest English proficiency score on the African continent, each achieving 602 points. This places them in the global “Very High Proficiency” category, a significant achievement that distinguishes them from other African nations. The report underscores the value of this skill, stating:
“English proficiency reflects a workforce’s capacity to engage with the global economy beyond national boundaries. In economies transitioning toward knowledge-based sectors, comfort with English often signals adaptability to international standards and practices.”
Dr Christopher McCormick, Chief Academic Officer of Efekta Education Group, highlighted the growing importance of combining language skills with technological literacy in the report’s foreword. He wrote:
“The combination of English proficiency and AI literacy is already creating competitive advantages in workplace settings. Companies would do well to keep this in mind when determining their knowledge-sharing and training initiatives.”
The Top 10 in the World and Africa
The global ranking showcases European dominance, while the African list highlights regional leaders.
Top 10 Countries in the World (EF EPI 2025):
Netherlands – Score: 624 (Very High Proficiency)
Croatia – Score: 617 (Very High Proficiency)
Austria – Score: 616 (Very High Proficiency)
Germany – Score: 615 (Very High Proficiency)
Norway – Score: 613 (Very High Proficiency)
Portugal – Score: 612 (Very High Proficiency)
Denmark – Score: 611 (Very High Proficiency)
Sweden – Score: 609 (Very High Proficiency)
Belgium – Score: 608 (Very High Proficiency)
Slovakia – Score: 606 (Very High Proficiency)
Top 10 English Speaking Countries in Africa (EF EPI 2025):
1. South Africa – Score: 602 (Very High Proficiency)
1. Zimbabwe – Score: 602 (Very High Proficiency)
3. Kenya – Score: 593 (High Proficiency)
4. Zambia – Score: 573 (High Proficiency)
5. Nigeria – Score: 568 (High Proficiency)
6. Ghana – Score: 540 (Moderate Proficiency)
7. Uganda – Score: 518 (Moderate Proficiency)
8. Ethiopia – Score: 499 (Low Proficiency)
9. Tunisia – Score: 498 (Low Proficiency)
10. Morocco – Score: 492 (Low Proficiency)
English Skills As An Economic Engine
The report consistently links stronger English proficiency with greater economic and innovative potential. It suggests that for African nations aiming for deeper global integration, investing in language education is a strategic move. The EF EPI analysis states:
“Investments in language education can complement other economic strategies aimed at achieving this transition, particularly in countries seeking greater integration with international markets and a wider range of work opportunities for their active populations.”
The findings underscore that in an era of artificial intelligence and remote work, a command of the world’s primary business lingua franca remains a powerful tool for individual advancement and national competitiveness, both in Africa and on the world stage.
