While English is undeniably a global lingua franca, especially in academic and professional spheres, a fascinating paradox has emerged: despite its wider understanding, effective usage often remains a hurdle. This challenge, as highlighted by the 2024 EF Education First English Proficiency Index, carries significant, albeit hard-to-measure, costs in missed opportunities and miscommunication.
Based on data from 2.1 million test takers, the latest EF EPI reveals a concerning global trend: a fourth consecutive decline in average English skills worldwide, with 60% of countries scoring lower than in 2023. However, amidst this global downturn, Africa stands as a remarkable exception.
Defying the prevailing trend, the African continent as a whole has demonstrated significant progress in English proficiency. While individual country performances varied, the regional aggregate showed a clear upward trajectory. Notably, this progress is particularly pronounced among women, who consistently outperform men in English skills across Africa. This phenomenon makes Africa the only continent where women consistently exhibit stronger English language capabilities, with Ethiopia recording the world’s widest gender gap in favor of women, a remarkable 58 points. This consistent outperformance by women in Africa is partly attributed to increased access to education, global expansion efforts that acknowledge women's contributions, and English serving as a key tool for empowerment and social mobility.
The report reinforces a critical correlation: national English proficiency is strongly linked to a broad spectrum of development indicators, including income, education levels, innovation, welfare, competitiveness, and global engagement. These correlations, while potentially shifting in strength over time, have remained consistently significant, particularly when analyzed against comprehensive calculated indices rather than singular metrics like GDP or average years of schooling. This underscores the profound impact of language skills on a nation's holistic development and its ability to participate effectively in the global economy.
Africa's overall performance in the 2024 EF EPI highlights a growing regional emphasis on language skills as a key driver for unlocking opportunity and fostering development. Governments and international partners like the British Council and USAID are actively promoting English language teaching (ELT) through teacher training, material provision, and after-school programs. South Africa, for instance, has implemented programs to improve English as a First Additional Language (EFAL) instruction, while Kenya benefits from initiatives like USAID's Tusome.
Here are the top 5 African countries demonstrating the highest English proficiency, leading the charge in leveraging language for national advancement:
South Africa: Score 594 (Global ranking: 11th)
Kenya: Score 581 (Global ranking: 19th)
Nigeria: Score 557 (Global ranking: 30th)
Ghana: Score 534 (Global ranking: 41st)
Uganda: Score 518 (Global ranking: 54th)
These nations stand as beacons of linguistic progress, demonstrating how improved English capabilities are not just about communication, but about catalyzing broader socio-economic growth and fostering stronger global ties.
