A record six African countries have secured spots in this year’s IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, underlining the continent’s steady push to strengthen its economic standing on the global stage.
Published on Tuesday, June 17, by Switzerland’s IMD Business School, the 2025 index evaluates 69 countries based on a mix of hard data and business sentiment, highlighting that true competitiveness goes far beyond GDP alone.
According to the Lausanne-based institute, economic competitiveness today reflects a balance of economic performance, government efficiency, business dynamism, and modern infrastructure, but it also depends equally on social and cultural factors that shape daily life and opportunities.
This year, Kenya, Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and Namibia all feature among the world’s most competitive economies — an encouraging sign that several African nations are prioritising good governance, business reforms, and infrastructure growth.
Kenya leads the African pack, claiming 56th position worldwide with an overall score of 48.3 in its debut appearance. The country stood out in business efficiency, securing 38th place globally in that category.
Botswana follows with a score of 46.1, ranking 59th overall despite a slight drop compared to last year. The Southern African nation remains strong on government efficiency and careful fiscal management.
Ghana clinched the 61st spot globally, just ahead of South Africa at 64th, while Nigeria landed in 67th place, with Namibia completing the group at 68th.
IMD’s competitiveness ranking combines extensive statistical research — covering 170 measurable factors like export growth, digital adoption, public finance health, and literacy — with the perspectives of over 6,000 business leaders worldwide, who weigh in on issues such as tax policy, governance quality, and workforce skills.
Globally, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, and the United Arab Emirates lead the 2025 index. The United States, still the world’s largest economy by size, came in 13th, with China ranking 16th.
The growing presence of African countries on this list signals that pockets of the continent are making progress toward creating stable, investor-friendly business environments — a shift that experts say could lift millions out of poverty and drive inclusive growth in the years ahead.
