It is on this basis that the Swiss institute IMD Business School has published its global report on competitiveness for the year 2026, scrutinizing 70 countries. The study combines 172 statistical criteria from international organizations with the perceptions of nearly 7,000 business leaders to examine precise structural aspects such as the rule of law, public transparency, or fiscal flexibility. In this global ranking, six African countries manage to distinguish themselves.

The notable fact of this edition lies in the progress of South Africa, which takes the first place on the continental scale and rises to 54th place globally. With an overall score of 50.16 points, the country progresses by ten places compared to the previous exercise. This performance is driven by the operational robustness of its private sector, ranked 42nd globally for business efficiency. This advance is achieved despite persistent constraints, characterized by a sluggish growth rate, rising public debt, and logistical bottlenecks.

This trajectory allows Pretoria to overtake Kenya, now the second competitive force on the continent, ranking 55th globally. The group of selected African nations is completed by Ghana (64th), Botswana (66th), Nigeria (68th), and Namibia (69th). In general, these countries show real strengths in the management and agility of their businesses, but remain penalized by the lack of basic infrastructure and necessary reforms within their public administrations.

On an international scale, regulatory stability and the performance of technological infrastructure dictate the hierarchy. Singapore regains its title as the most competitive economy in the world, relegating Hong Kong to second place and Switzerland to third. Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates complete the top of the ranking, confirming the attractiveness of highly digitized financial hubs. The main global trading powers display lagging positions compared to these innovation poles. The United States occupies the 10th global position, followed by China, which establishes itself in 12th place. These results remind us that in a fragmented global environment, the predictability of national institutions constitutes the primary criterion of reassurance for investors and capital holders.


Nlend Flore

Tags: compétitivité afrique économie attractivité imd business investissements développement