Kenya has emerged as the leading English-speaking nation in East Africa and ranks third on the continent, according to the 2025 English Proficiency Index (EPI) released by Education First (EF), the world’s largest language education company. The report places Kenya ahead of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Morocco in terms of adult English skills.
The EF study, which assessed over 2.2 million participants across 123 countries and regions, provides a comprehensive snapshot of English proficiency worldwide. Of those surveyed, 46% were male, 54% female, and the average age was 26.
On the African continent, South Africa topped the rankings for English proficiency, followed by Zimbabwe, with Kenya in third place and Zambia in fourth. The strong showing reflects the widespread use of English in Kenya’s government, media, and education system – a legacy of British colonial rule, which established English as the official language.
Other African countries in the top ten include Nigeria (5th), Ghana (6th), Uganda (7th), Ethiopia (8th), Tunisia (9th), and Morocco (10th). While Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda use English officially, Ethiopia maintains English primarily as the language of instruction in schools.
The EF report emphasizes the importance of English proficiency in today’s global economy, noting that it “reflects a workforce’s capacity to engage internationally and signals adaptability in knowledge-based sectors.”
On the global stage, Kenya ranks 19th, with the Netherlands, Croatia, Australia, and Germany occupying the top four positions. The rest of the global top ten includes Norway, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, and Slovakia.