Unfortunately, of the bottom 20 economies on the scale, 13 were from Africa, indicating that much still needed to be done to improve levels of competitiveness on the continent.
South Africa moved up four places to reach 50th spot.
South Africa's labour market efficiency, with rigid hiring and firing practices and a lack of flexibility in wage determinations, coupled with tensions in labour-employer relations all counted against it in the latest index.
Mauritius was ranked 54th this year while Rwanda moved up 10 places to 70th spot and placing it in third position in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria - with an economy that is the second largest in Africa - was ranked in a poor 127th position primarily because it still does not support a competitive economy, does not protect property rights and allows widespread corruption to dominate economic activity.
