English-medium instruction in higher education throughout the Middle East, north Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa

English-medium instruction (EMI) has become increasingly popular in higher education institutions across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and Sub-Saharan Africa. This chapter discusses some of the challenges and opportunities presented by EMI in these regions. Challenges include low levels of English proficiency among students and teachers, qualified teacher shortages and lack of training, competition with local languages, geopolitical instability, and lack of effective policy implementation. However, opportunities for EMI include a preference for EMI in some regions, improved English proficiency, economic and international collaboration, multilingual policy frameworks, and technology integration. The chapter also explores the complex sociolinguistic context of Sub-Saharan Africa, where EMI has become the most commonly used language in higher education across East and Southern Africa. One obvious conclusion here is that policymakers need to consider the institutional context and provide adequate training and resources to instructors and students to achieve optimal results for effective EMI teaching and learning.