As global competition for talent intensifies in the era of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, Africa is falling behind because of structural constraints in innovation, regulation and advanced skills development.

Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa are the most attractive African countries for talent in 2025, according to a ranking published on Wednesday by the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) and the Portulans Institute, a Washington-based non-profit research group.

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) assesses the ability of 135 countries, representing 93% of the global population and 97% of global GDP, to attract, develop and retain talent. It is based on 77 quantitative and qualitative indicators.

These indicators include government effectiveness, the regulatory environment, internet access in educational institutions, research and development spending, the percentage of foreign students in the education system, tolerance towards immigrants, social protection, digital skills, the percentage of high-value-added exports, the adoption of artificial intelligence, interpersonal skills and employee well-being.

The index is structured as an input-output model, combining an assessment of measures taken by countries to produce and acquire talent with an assessment of the resulting skills and abilities. The model is built around six pillars.

Mauritius, the African leader, ranks 4th globally with a score of 49.70 points. The report said this reflects "a growing commitment to enabling, attracting, and retaining talent by strengthening education systems, supporting workforce adaptability, and fostering innovation-driven ecosystems that offer meaningful career opportunities and professional growth."

Seychelles (50th globally) is positioned second in Africa, ahead of South Africa (79th globally), Cape Verde (83rd), Botswana (85th), Tunisia (88th), Namibia (90th), Egypt (94th) and Algeria (96th). Morocco (98th globally) closes the African top 10.

Overall, Africa lags behind other world regions in talent attractiveness. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world's least performing region, with an average score of about 30.8 points. While progress continues in connectivity, employability and education quality, the region as a whole still faces structural constraints in the labor market, in terms of regulations and training in advanced skills.

Globally, Singapore is the most attractive country for talent this year, followed by Switzerland, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Major global powers are ranked lower: the United States is 9th, Germany 17th, Japan 28th, China 53rd and India 100th.

Walid Kéfi

Most Attractive African Countries for Talent Ranking, 2025