the logo

Best universities in Africa 2024

Find the best universities in Africa using Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings data

  • Best universities in
October 5 2023
University of Cape Town campus

Share

Top 10 universities in Africa 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Africa

Africa Rank 2024  World University Rank 2024   World University Rank 2023  University country
1  167   160  University of Cape Town South Africa
=2  301–350   251–300  Stellenbosch University South Africa
=2  301–350   251–300  University of the Witwatersrand South Africa
4  401–500   601–800  University of Johannesburg South Africa
=5  501–600   401–500  University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
=5  501–600   801–1000  University of Pretoria South Africa
=7  601–800   351–400  University of Cape Coast Ghana
=7  601–800   NR  Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) Egypt
=7  601–800   601–800  North-West University South Africa
=7  601–800   601–800  University of the Western Cape South Africa

The best universities in Africa span 16 countries, from Uganda in the east to Nigeria in the west, Morocco in the north to South Africa at the southernmost tip of the continent, according to the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024.

Free graduate employability course
Develop the skills top employers want while you study and get a digital certificate to boost your CV!

Best universities in Australia
Best universities in the UK
Best universities in the United States
Best universities in Germany
Best universities in China
Best universities in Canada
Best universities in Europe

Overall, Egypt and Algeria are the two best represented African countries in the ranking, with 28 and 15 universities each. While the top 10 is dominated by universities in South Africa, 12 South African universities are represented in the full ranking. 

Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa all have universities in the top 1000 of the global ranking.

The ranking rates university performance using 18 indicators measuring teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. The full methodology can be found here.

Top 4 universities in Africa 2024

4. University of Johannesburg

The University of Johannesburg (UJ), situated in South Africa, is renowned for its dedication to diversity and forward-thinking approach. It excels in various academic fields, emphasises critical thinking and collaboration, and offers a wide range of programmes across eight faculties.

As a research institution, UJ addresses various challenges, from early childhood development to cutting-edge technologies. It fosters personal and academic growth through sports, arts, and culture.

UJ's diverse community, with members from over 50 countries, benefits from global collaborations. The university is dedicated to inclusion and seeks to be a premier African institution promoting respect and innovation.

=2. University of the Witwatersrand

The University of the Witwatersrand – or Wits University, as it is commonly known – is a public research university based in Johannesburg.

It was founded as a school of mining; the region is the most abundant with gold of any location worldwide.

The university grew significantly in the late 20th century, and the campus has been expanding with many new buildings.

That time was also a period of protest against apartheid policies, and the university campus was divided. Nonetheless, many prominent black leaders graduated from the university.

There are five campuses, with two joined by a walkway. The campuses are home to student residences (including female-only dorms), academic departments, the Origins Centre, Planetarium, theatres, museums and galleries.

Academic research and teaching are spread across five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Science; and Humanities.

Through the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, the medical school trains more specialists than any other university in southern Africa.

The Disability Rights Unit is a flagship centre ensuring that higher education is accessible to disabled students, caregivers and others in need of special provisions.

Transitioning from a non-Western university to a Western one: highs and lows
What do student mental health services look like in South Africa?
A day in the life of a student in Nigeria
Culture shock at a South African university
Overcoming the stigma of student mental health in Zimbabwe
The 10 most beautiful universities in Africa

=2. Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University is located in South Africa’s Western Cape, 50km from Cape Town. The university town maintains Dutch colonial architecture, and its streets host an array of cafés, boutiques and galleries.

Teaching at the university is split over four campuses, with the main one in Stellenbosch and the others in the nearby area. 

Students can complete assignments and exams in both English and Afrikaans, even though the main language of instruction is Afrikaans. For postgraduate students, the language in classes is determined by the demographic of the class, and is usually English.

There are about 150 academic departments within 10 faculties, and many other research centres.

In addition to an extensive library system, the university has a conservatory with two concert halls, home of the Stellenbosch University Choir – the oldest South African choir.

1. University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town’s campus is located at the foot of Table Mountain, offering spectacular views of Devil’s Peak and across the city.
Some 18 per cent of the student body are international.

The university was founded in 1829, making it the oldest university in the country and the second oldest in Africa, behind the University of Sierra Leone, which was established two years earlier.

The main campus contains many teaching faculties, the main library and some halls of residence. The middle and lower campuses are home to most of the student residences, sports facilities and some academic departments.

Academic departments are grouped into six faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Law.

In addition, the university’s Graduate School of Business runs independently from the commerce faculty.

The university is committed to social change through its “transformation” projects, which tackle issues such as diversity, student opportunity and behaviour.

Best universities in Africa 2024

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 results

Africa Rank 2024  World University Rank 2024   World University Rank 2023  University country
1  167   160  University of Cape Town South Africa
=2  301–350   251–300  Stellenbosch University South Africa
=2  301–350   251–300  University of the Witwatersrand South Africa
4  401–500   601–800  University of Johannesburg South Africa
=5  501–600   401–500  University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
=5  501–600   801–1000  University of Pretoria South Africa
=7  601–800   351–400  University of Cape Coast Ghana
=7  601–800   NR  Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) Egypt
=7  601–800   601–800  North-West University South Africa
=7  601–800   601–800  University of the Western Cape South Africa
=11  801–1000   801–1000  Al-Azhar University Egypt
=11  801–1000   801–1000  Alexandria University Egypt
=11  801–1000   801–1000  American University in Cairo Egypt
=11  801–1000   401–500  Aswan University Egypt
=11  801–1000   801–1000  Cairo University Egypt
=11  801–1000   601–800  Covenant University Nigeria
=11  801–1000   501–600  Damietta University Egypt
=11  801–1000   801–1000  University of the Free State South Africa
=11  801–1000   401–500  University of Ibadan Nigeria
=11  801–1000   501–600  Kafrelsheikh University Egypt
=11  801–1000   801–1000  Makerere University Uganda
=11  801–1000   601–800  Mansoura University Egypt
=11  801–1000   1201–1500  University of Tunis El Manar Tunisia
=11  801–1000   801–1000  Zagazig University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  Ain Shams University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   601–800  Benha University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   801–1000  Beni-Suef University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   NR  Université Djillali Liabès de Sidi Bel-Abbès Algeria
=25  1001–1200   501–600  Durban University of Technology South Africa
=25  1001–1200   601–800  Fayoum University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  Federal University of Technology Akure Nigeria
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  University of Ghana Ghana
=25  1001–1200   501–600  Jimma University Ethiopia
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Ghana
=25  1001–1200   401–500  University of Lagos Nigeria
=25  1001–1200   601–800  Minia University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   401–500  Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Tanzania
=25  1001–1200   NR  Nile University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   1201–1500  University of Sfax Tunisia
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University Morocco
=25  1001–1200   1001–1200  University of South Africa South Africa
=25  1001–1200   NR  Suez University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   801–1000  Suez Canal University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   801–1000  Tanta University Egypt
=25  1001–1200   801–1000  Zewail City of Science and Technology Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  Assiut University Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  Bayero University Nigeria
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  University of Botswana Botswana
=46  1201–1500   NR  Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Botswana
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  The British University in Egypt Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Carthage Tunisia
=46  1201–1500   601–800  Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Mozambique
=46  1201–1500   401–500  Ferhat Abbas Sétif University 1 Algeria
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  Université Hassan II de Casablanca Morocco
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  Helwan University Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  Ibn Tofaïl University Morocco
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Ilorin Nigeria
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  University of Manouba Tunisia
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  University of Marrakech Cadi Ayyad Morocco
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  University of Mauritius Mauritius
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  Mohammed V University of Rabat Morocco
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Monastir Tunisia
=46  1201–1500   601–800  University of Nairobi Kenya
=46  1201–1500   601–800  University of Namibia Namibia
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Nigeria Nsukka Nigeria
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  Port Said University Egypt
=46  1201–1500   NR  Université de Skikda Algeria
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  Sohag University Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Sousse Tunisia
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  South Valley University Egypt
=46  1201–1500   1501+  University of Tunis Tunisia
=46  1201–1500   1201–1500  University of Venda South Africa
=46  1201–1500   501–600  University of Zambia Zambia
=46  1201–1500   1001–1200  University of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem Algeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Abdelmalek Essaâdi University Morocco
=76  1501+   1501+  University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd Tlemcen Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  Afe Babalola University Nigeria
=76  1501+   1501+  Badji Mokhtar University – Annaba Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Batna 2 Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  University of Béjaïa Algeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  University of Benin Nigeria
=76  1501+   1501+  University of Biskra Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  Blida 1 University Algeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Université Chouaïb Doukkali Morocco
=76  1501+   1501+  University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania
=76  1501+   NR  University for Development Studies Ghana
=76  1501+   1501+  Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
=76  1501+   1501+  Université Frères Mentouri Constantine 1 Algeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Université de Gabès Tunisia
=76  1501+   1201–1500  German University in Cairo Egypt
=76  1501+   1501+  Université Hassan 1er Morocco
=76  1501+   NR  Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Jijel Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Nigeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Laghouat Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  Lagos State University Nigeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Mascara Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  M’Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdès Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  University Mohamed Boudiaf of M’Sila Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  Université Mohammed Premier Morocco
=76  1501+   NR  Moulay Ismail University Morocco
=76  1501+   1501+  Université Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi-Ouzou Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nigeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria
=76  1501+   1201–1500  Oran 1 University Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Port Harcourt Nigeria
=76  1501+   NR  University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene Algeria
=76  1501+   1501+  University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed-Boudiaf Algeria
=76  1501+   NR  Université Sultan Moulay Slimane Morocco

You may also like

Best universities in the world 2018

Best universities in the world 2024

Find the world’s top universities in 2024 using the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings data

September 27 2023
sticky sign up

Register free and enjoy extra benefits