- Ghana ranked 6th in Africa and 36th globally in EF EPI 2025
- Nigeria ranked ahead of Ghana, placing 5th in Africa
- South Africa leads Africa, 13th globally, followed by Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Zambia
Nigeria has ranked ahead of Ghana in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), outperforming the country in Africa’s English language proficiency standings, even as Ghana retained a strong position among the continent’s leading English-speaking nations.
Ghana placed sixth in Africa in the 2025 EF EPI, which assesses adult English proficiency across 123 countries and regions worldwide. The ranking, released by global education company Education First (EF), highlights Ghana’s continued prominence in international communication, education, and global engagement.
EF describes the index as the most comprehensive global measure of English proficiency, drawing on results from 2.2 million test takers who completed the EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET), the world’s largest free standardised English test.
“English remains the most widely shared language for international communication. In an increasingly complex global environment, its role as a bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more critical than ever,” said Kate Bell, author of the EF EPI and EF’s Head of Assessment.
Ghana’s strong English foundation
Ghana’s solid performance reflects the central role of English as the country’s official language and its use as the primary medium of instruction from basic to tertiary education. English also dominates public administration, the courts, the media, diplomacy, and business, serving as a unifying language in a highly multilingual society.
The 2025 EF EPI introduced a major update by assessing speaking and writing skills for the first time, using artificial intelligence developed by Efekta Education Group, EF’s education technology arm. This broader evaluation underscores the depth of Ghana’s functional English proficiency beyond reading and listening.
Africa’s rankings
At the continental level, South Africa led Africa’s rankings, placing 13th globally, followed by Zimbabwe in second place. Kenya and Zambia ranked third and fourth in Africa, with global positions of 19th and 27th, respectively.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, ranked 29th globally, making it the fifth-highest ranked country in Africa and placing it ahead of Ghana, which ranked 36th globally.
Top 10 English-speaking countries in Africa (EF EPI 2025):
- South Africa – 13th globally
- Zimbabwe
- Kenya – 19th globally
- Zambia – 27th globally
- Nigeria – 29th globally
- Ghana – 36th globally
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Tunisia
- Morocco
Growing global relevance
Ghana’s continued presence among Africa’s top English-proficient countries reinforces its status as a regional hub for education, media, diplomacy, international business, and outsourcing services in West Africa.
As global demand for English-based communication grows, Ghana’s strong linguistic foundation remains a strategic asset. The 2025 EF EPI further affirms the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s most accessible and globally connected English-speaking nations.
