Kenya ranked 3rd in Africa, 19th in world among best English speaking nations – report

Kenya has been ranked third in Africa and 19th globally among the best English-speaking nations, according to the English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2025 report by Education First.

The ranking places Kenya in the “high proficiency” category, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s strongest performers in English language skills.

The report evaluates adult English proficiency in 123 countries and regions, using data from 2.2 million test takers worldwide.

According to EPI 2025, English continues to play a central role in global communication and opportunity.

“English remains the world’s most common shared language for international communication, and despite tensions and doubts about the stability of the world order, the utility of a lingua franca in a globalized world is unquestionable,” the report states.

“Demand for English courses and language acquisition programs has not dropped, and neither has investment by companies or governments in developing English skills. Unfortunately, progress has stalled.”

The global rankings remain dominated by European nations, which occupy nearly all of the top spots.

The Netherlands continues to hold the title of the world’s most proficient non-native English-speaking country.

Other top performers globally include Croatia, Austria, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, and Slovakia. These nations are recognized for integrating English seamlessly into education, workplaces, and public services.

In Africa, the rankings reflect a mix of historical influence and modern educational standards. South Africa and Zimbabwe lead the continent, both holding high positions globally. They are followed by Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Morocco.

For many of these countries, English serves as a primary language for government, law, and higher education, which continues to drive high proficiency levels. Kenya’s strong showing places it ahead of many countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The report links high English proficiency to stronger engagement with the global economy and greater workforce adaptability.

“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. This relationship suggests that investments in language education can complement other economic strategies aimed at achieving this transition.”

Regionally, the report highlights Africa as the most diverse continent in terms of English proficiency, with Kenya standing out for its consistency across age groups.

“Kenya and South Africa have some of the most homogenous scores across age groups in the world. Along with Nigeria, they are among only a handful of high proficiency countries with narrow gaps between skills. This indicates that countries with a colonial history of English speaking may share unique linguistic traits,” the report noted.

Globally, Kenya’s 19th position places it firmly among countries considered well-prepared for international engagement. The report shows that nations with strong English skills tend to benefit from increased access to research, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

The EPI report also underscores the broader value of English beyond education.

“English proficiency and innovation capacity share certain enabling conditions: educational investment, international connectivity, and knowledge exchange frameworks. With English serving as a common language for the spread of research, communities worldwide can access knowledge about approaches to challenges from healthcare to renewable energy. English thus functions less as an endpoint than as a bridge.”

While the report notes that global gains in English proficiency have slowed, Kenya’s continued strong showing highlights the impact of sustained exposure through schooling, professional life, and public institutions.