The 20 Best Places for Teachers to Live in Africa

Africa is a continent with some of the most interesting wildlife and breathtaking landscapes on the planet. Some countries in Africa are exceptional choices for teachers. While not all African countries offer the best quality of life, some are ranked high on the livability scale and are willing to pay fair wages and good compensation for teachers. There is a demand for this profession in many of the more economically stable countries and cities. If you’re looking for a job, here are the 20 best places to live in Africa for teachers.

20. Ghana

According to Go Abroad, Ghana is a sub-Saharan country that is independent of European colonists. It’s a country with strong African leadership, that maintains a diverse population of 27 million residents. Ghana’s educational system is progressive and it continues to evolve in quality. The location of Ghana is in the Gulf of Guinea as a leader in diamond production, natural gas, and cocoa. There is a high demand for English teachers in this West African country.

19. South Africa

South Africa is one of the most popular teaching destinations for teachers who travel abroad. Although the country has a history of colonization and oppression, South Africa has overcome many of the challenges of its past. it is currently among the top political and economic leaders in the African continent. Many impressive cities in South Africa offer competitive wages for teachers, and comfortable living conditions along with an affordable cost of living. It’s one of the largest and most attractive teachings abroad destinations with a comfortable climate and impressive quality of life.

18. Kenya

Kenya is one of the most powerful countries in the Central and Eastern regions of the African continent. It is a diverse country both biologically and geographically with multiple wildlife reserves, a large freshwater lake, and world-class beaches. It’s a popular tourist destination with many amenities that make living there comfortable and affordable. There is a need for English teachers in Kenya. You’ll find plenty of job opportunities there if you’re a certified teacher. The classroom sizes are moderate with plenty of free time and monthly pay. You’ll have time to go explore the wonders of this beautiful country when you’re on break from classroom responsibilities. Hours are not too demanding for teachers in Kenya.

17. Uganda

Uganda is a country that is home to more than one hundred different languages. It is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. This presents an amazing opportunity for teachers who instruct in English as it is a language that ties the many tongues together. English is the most common classification of openings for teachers who come from abroad. There is a high demand and the pay is good. Teachers also instruct in other subjects. The Ugandan Ministry of Education has developed multiple partnerships to attract teachers from foreign countries to come and instruct in public schools. There is a high degree of openness for foreign teachers who are generally welcomed to come and help educate in the government-regulated school system. The primary languages most people speak in Uganda are English and Swahili in addition to other dialects.

16. Namibia

Namibia is one of the largest countries on the African continent. It is often referred to as one of the big 5 countries. It’s located between the coastline of African and the infamous red desert sands. The capital city of Namibia is Windhoek. There is a huge demand for international teachers in the country of Namibia. The country seeks to expand educational opportunities for its local students. The medium of education in Namibia is English, along with multiple local tribal languages. English is more commonly spoken among Namibian citizens than their native tongue. There are teaching opportunities to teach both in the public school systems and as private tutors.

15. Madagascar

Madagascar is an African country that requires English teachers. Although this is not the national language of the country, there is a high demand for it. The national languages are Malagasy and French but English is a highly desired skill. The job of teaching can be rewarding in Madagascar. It is far easier if you are fluent in both French and English. It’s important for teachers who come from other countries to be prepared for overcrowded classes and long hours. Although there are a few challenges to working as a teacher in Madagascar, the rewards are high.

14. Tanzania

Tanzania is a popular travel destination in the African continent. It is a culturally diverse country that also offers tons of living amenities. Mount Kilimanjaro lies within the country of Tanzania. International teachers can make a difference in Tanzanian society by providing the sorely needed educational resources. If you are a teacher who wants to make a difference for students who are hungry to learn and improve their standing in life, this is one of the better places in African to choose. Even though there are not enough teachers to go around in Tanzania, the hours are long but the rewards help to make up for heavy workloads. Seeing children gain the skills and knowledge to help them succeed in life offers a non-tangible reward. In your spare time, there are plenty of things to do for fun and recreation in Tanzania.

13. Egypt

According to Teach Away, Egypt is a land of wonders that offers the potential for an experience of a lifetime. It is the home of camels, pyramids, and rich and storied history. It’s a popular destination for educations who are on vacation. Could you imagine having the opportunity to live there and explore its wonders when you’re not teaching in the classroom? The national language of Egypt is Arabic. It’s ideal for teachers who are fluent in the language as well as English. There is a high demand for English teachers in the country of Egypt. The main religion in Egypt is Muslim. It’s one of the best places to immerse oneself in the culture as well as getting to see some of the greatest mysteries and wonders of the world.

12. Senegal

Senegal is an African country that is rich in cultural diversity. There are more than ten ethnic groups represented in the population and among these groups, there are 37 languages spoken. Senegal is an industrialized country with a promising economic future and a growing upper-middle class. There is also a large demand for international educators in the public school system. There are plenty of educational opportunities for teachers who speak English and other languages.

11. Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that has been making strides in developing its educational system. The demand for English-speaking teachers is high as the goal of the country is to make English its primary academic language for all school instruction. There is no shortage of work for teachers in Rwanda, and when you’re off the clock, you can enjoy exploring the jungles or hiking in its scenic landscape.

10. Morocco

Morocco is a northern African country that has a high standard of living and provides a comfortable environment for its teachers. It’s one of the most popular countries for expatriates and teachers from other parts of the world. The cultures represented in Morocco are largely a combination of Arabic, African and European. The country has a distinct national identity that is unlike any other African nation with a Mediterranean flavor. It’s a comfortable place to live and to teach in its good public school systems.

9. Nigeria

According to TEFL, teaching in Nigeria can be more comfortable than working in some other African countries. The standards of living are high in Nigeria, especially in the city of Lagos. The educational system is regulated by the state government. It’s one of the wealthier nations on the African continent, with a high demand for teachers to instruct students of all ages in mastering the English language. By comparison, Nigeria maintains some of the highest standards of living in Africa with a burgeoning economy. There are also multiple quality universities in the country.

8. Burkina Faso

According to CG Development, Burkina Faso has an educational system that fairly compensates its teachers. The class sizes are not as large and the workweek is not as long. The environment is friendly and hospitable and it’s easy to make friends in this country. There is nothing not to love about living in Burkina Faso. This is a country where teachers are respected for their contributions to the betterment of society. If you teach English, this is a language that is highly prized.

7. Cote d’Ivoire

Cote d’Ivoire has a good educational system that values its workers with fair compensation. Teachers in Cote d’Ivoire earn more than those working in Liberia or Niger. The workweeks are not as long and the class sizes are not as large. This makes teaching in Cote d’Ivoire a more pleasant and less taxing experience. Teachers have it a lot easier in Cote d’Ivoire than in many other African countries.

6. Zambia

Zambia pays its teachers exceptionally well. When compared to teachers in Sierra Leone and Niger, the salaries are higher. Teachers also report fewer hours per week in the classroom than some other comparable workers. Teaching in Zambia is easier and more fulfilling than in some other countries that require longer hours for less pay. If you’re looking for the ideal blend of work and personal time, teaching in Zambia will allow you to have the luxury time to get out and explore the environment around you. Teachers in Zambia work off of fixed contracts that ensure they are treated fairly following their initial agreement.

5. Malawi

Malawi is another African country that pays its teachers better than some of the other countries. While you don’t usually hear much about Malawi, it offers an affordable cost of living with a pleasant climate and friendly environment. Teachers can earn a good living in Malawi in an environment that embraces education and fairly compensated its teachers. It’s one of the better options with smaller class sizes and an affordable economy to live in. If you like living around friendly locals who enjoy socializing then Malawi may be a good option for you.

4. Cape Verde

According to GH Students, Cape Verde has one of the best education systems in the African continent. It is a small island country that ranks high in teaching and in critical thinking scores among its students. The literacy rate in the country is high at about 80 percent. Primary education is mandatory between the ages of 6 years and 14. This is a country that highly values education and it welcomes foreign teachers.

3. Botswana

Botswana is a country with a population of 2.3 million residents. It has a high literacy rate of 88 percent. It does a good job of providing ongoing teacher training to meet modern standards of education for its population. The class sizes are not excessively large and the pay is fair for the work.

2. Algeria

Algeria is a Northern African country that also offers one of the most highly rated education systems on the continent. The population of Algeria is 41.3 million with a literacy rate of just 77 percent. This suggests that teachers who work in Algeria will help to have a more positive impact on the younger generation in the effort to stamp out illiteracy for a more highly educated public.

1. Seychelles

Seychelles is a small African country that claims to have the best education system in all of Africa. The population is just 95,000. It is a part of the UNESCO “education for all” goal. The government of Seychelles invests more than 11 percent of its budget into the education of the people.