January 2026 - Fore Africa

Nigeria Breaks into Africa’s Top 5 English-Speaking Nations, Ranks 29th Globally in EF 2025 Index

Nigeria has been ranked as the 5th best English-speaking country in Africa and 29th in the world, according to the 2025 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) published by Education First (EF), a global leader in culturally immersive education. This index assesses adult English language skills across 123 countries and regions worldwide and is regarded as the most comprehensive evaluation of English proficiency.

According to EF, “English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication. In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever,” stated Kate Bell, the author of the EF EPI and EF’s Head of Assessment.

The EF EPI 2025 is based on the results of 2.2 million test takers who completed the EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET), which is the world’s largest free standardised English test available for both individuals and organisations. Notably, this year’s report marks a milestone as it assesses speaking and writing skills for the first time, utilising proprietary artificial intelligence technology developed by Efekta Education Group, EF’s education technology division.

Globally, South Africa’s English language skills rank 13th in the world and first in Africa, making it the highest-ranked nation on the continent. It is closely followed by Zimbabwe, which also ranks 13th globally and second in Africa. Kenya and Zambia are ranked 19th and 27th globally, placing them third and fourth in Africa, while Nigeria stands at 29th worldwide, emerging as the fifth-best English-speaking country in Africa.

Here’s a breakdown of the top-ranked English-speaking countries in Africa:

South Africa: South Africa leads Africa in English proficiency due to the widespread use of English in government, education, media, and business. As an official language, it serves as a unifying medium in a multilingual society and is essential for commerce and higher education.
Zimbabwe: English is the primary language of instruction and administration in Zimbabwe. High literacy rates and a long-standing British educational influence contribute to strong English proficiency.
Kenya: English, alongside Swahili, is an official language in Kenya. It is widely used in schools, courts, government institutions, and urban professional settings, which supports the country’s strong performance.
Zambia: English is Zambia’s official language and is the main medium of instruction in schools. Its consistent use in governance and education has bolstered the country’s English proficiency.
Nigeria: Nigeria ranks among Africa’s top English-speaking nations. English serves as the official language and primary means of communication, widely used in education, governance, media, and business.
Ghana: English is Ghana’s official language and the main medium of instruction from primary to tertiary education. Its use in public administration and international engagement helps strengthen proficiency levels.
Uganda: English is Uganda’s official language, commonly used in schools, government, and professional environments. It also plays a significant role in regional trade and diplomacy.
Ethiopia: While not officially recrecognisednglish is widely taught in secondary schools and universities, serving as the main language for higher education and international affairs.
Tunisia: The use of English is increasing in Tunisia, especially among youth and professionals. While Arabic and French dominate, English is becoming increasingly important in technology, tourism, and higher education.
Morocco: English is gaining popularity in Morocco among students and the business community, viewed as a crucial tool for global trade and international relations.

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Midnight Shock in Caracas: U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Claims Capture of President Nicolás Maduro

The United States launched what it described as a large-scale overnight military strike inside Venezuela on Saturday, announcing that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, following months of escalating pressure on his government.
The extraordinary operation, revealed by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack, marked one of the most dramatic U.S. military actions in Latin America in decades. Trump said the mission was carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement and resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Questions immediately arose over the legal authority for the strike and whether Congress had been consulted beforehand. The lightning-fast action — which removed a sitting head of state — drew comparisons to the 1990 U.S. invasion of Panama, when leader Manuel Noriega was captured and taken to the United States to stand trial.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores will face criminal charges in New York, declaring in a social media post that the couple would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” Maduro was previously indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges, though it had not been publicly known that his wife was also indicted.
In Caracas, residents reported multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft in the early hours of Saturday as the strike unfolded. Venezuela’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military targets, branding the operation an “imperialist attack” and urging citizens to mobilize in the streets.
With Maduro’s whereabouts initially unclear, officials said Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume power under Venezuelan law. While no formal transfer was confirmed, Rodríguez issued a statement demanding proof that Maduro and the first lady were alive.
“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez said. “We demand proof of life.”
Trump later confirmed that both had been captured and removed from Venezuela, adding that a press conference would follow. The strike itself lasted less than 30 minutes, but at least seven explosions sent shockwaves through the capital, prompting panic and widespread social media reports.
Rodríguez said Venezuelan civilians and military personnel were killed, though she did not provide figures. Trump acknowledged that some U.S. forces were injured but said he believed none were killed.
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said he was briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, confirming that Maduro had been arrested by U.S. personnel to face trial in the United States. The White House did not immediately disclose where Maduro and his wife were being taken.
Maduro had last appeared on state television Friday, meeting with Chinese officials in Caracas.
The operation followed months of mounting U.S. pressure, including a buildup of American forces near South America and repeated strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs through the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Last week, a CIA-backed drone strike hit a Venezuelan docking site believed to be used by drug cartels — the first acknowledged U.S. action on Venezuelan soil since strikes began in September.
As of Friday, U.S. officials said 35 boat strikes had been carried out, with at least 115 people killed. Trump has framed the campaign as part of an armed conflict with drug cartels, arguing it is necessary to stem the flow of narcotics into the United States.
Maduro has repeatedly denounced the U.S. operations as a pretext for regime change, accusing Washington of seeking to remove him from power by force.