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As global competition for talent accelerates in the age of AI and advanced technologies, Africa continues to trail behind due to deep-rooted challenges in innovation, regulation, and high-level skills development.

A new ranking released Wednesday by the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) and the Washington, based Portulans Institute shows Mauritius, Seychelles, and South Africa as Africa’s top talent destinations for 2025.

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) evaluates 135 countries—representing 93% of the world’s population and 97% of global GDP on their ability to attract, develop, and retain talent. It uses 77 indicators, covering areas such as government effectiveness, regulatory quality, internet access in schools, R&D spending, foreign student presence, openness to immigrants, social protection, digital skills, AI adoption, export sophistication, interpersonal skills, and employee well-being.

Structured as an input-output model, the index assesses both the systems countries put in place to build and attract talent and the outcomes reflected in their workforce capabilities. Its framework is organized around six key pillars.

Mauritius leads Africa and ranks 4th globally, scoring 49.70 points. The report attributes this to the country’s strong efforts to attract and retain talent through better education systems, adaptable workforce policies, and innovation-driven environments that offer meaningful career growth.

Seychelles ranks 50th globally and second in Africa, followed by South Africa (79th). Completing the continent’s top 10 are Cape Verde (83rd), Botswana (85th), Tunisia (88th), Namibia (90th), Egypt (94th), Algeria (96th), and Morocco (98th).

Despite pockets of progress—especially in connectivity, employability, and education quality—Africa remains the world’s lowest-performing region for talent competitiveness. Sub-Saharan Africa averages just 30.8 points, highlighting continuing barriers in labor regulations and advanced skills training.

Globally, Singapore tops the 2025 ranking, followed by Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Major world powers place lower: the United States ranks 9th, Germany 17th, Japan 28th, China 53rd, and India 100th.

Most Attractive African Countries for Talent Ranking, 2025