Best universities in Africa 2026

By seeta.bhardwa@…, 20 October, 2025

Top universities in Africa 2026

Africa Rank 2026WUR Rank 2026UniversityOverallTeachingResearch EnvironmentResearch QualityIndustryInternational Outlook
1=164University of Cape Town60.839.446.787.884.877.9
=2301–350Stellenbosch University51.6–54.234.840.875.591.858.6
=2301–350University of the Witwatersrand51.6–54.234.943.170.891.674.3
=4351–400Mohammed VI Polytechnic University49.9–51.534.734.972.756.272.8
=4351–400University of Johannesburg49.9–51.529.538.469.981.182
=6501–600University of KwaZulu-Natal43.6–46.131.437.961.549.154.9
=6501–600University of Pretoria43.6–46.132.334.757.561.165.2
=8601–800American University in Cairo39.0–43.530.125.953.733.971.9
=8601–800Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)39.0–43.530.727.46540.853.3
=8601–800Kafrelsheikh University39.0–43.528.79.676.921.653.1
=8601–800University of the Western Cape39.0–43.522.924.868.324.462
=12801–1000Ain Shams University35.5–38.928.627.550.44153.1
=12801–1000Al-Azhar University35.5–38.922.112.86824.658.9
=12801–1000Alexandria University35.5–38.920.718.263.531.755
=12801–1000Cairo University35.5–38.929.42060.742.748.6
=12801–1000Future University in Egypt35.5–38.922.210.678.61864.4
=12801–1000International University of Rabat35.5–38.918.41273.23176.3
=12801–1000Makerere University35.5–38.921.526.654.232.869.7
=12801–1000Mansoura University35.5–38.920.211.969.432.976.8
=12801–1000North-West University35.5–38.922.318.863.845.156.4
=12801–1000University of Cape Coast35.5–38.918.222.163.333.344.9
=12801–1000University of Ibadan35.5–38.929.615.663.522.143.8
=12801–1000University of Lagos35.5–38.918.420.166.732.645.6
=12801–1000University of Tunis El Manar35.5–38.945.727.232.970.455.2
=251001–1200Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport32.1–35.435.120.644.328.657.8
=251001–1200Aswan University32.1–35.41611.964.922.650.2
=251001–1200Bayero University32.1–35.422.51160.71849.6
=251001–1200Beni-Suef University32.1–35.425.811.359.422.855.6
=251001–1200Covenant University32.1–35.421.627.550.855.742.3
=251001–1200Damietta University32.1–35.41810.66919.648.1
=251001–1200Delta University for Science and Technology32.1–35.421.41170.91851.7
=251001–1200Landmark University32.1–35.420.218.461.922.137.2
=251001–1200Minia University32.1–35.418.59.565.224.150.9
=251001–1200New Valley University32.1–35.423.98.663.717.149.1
=251001–1200Suez University32.1–35.417.710.566.125.950
=251001–1200Tanta University32.1–35.4209.566.323.549.1
=251001–1200University of Botswana32.1–35.414.513.262.919.158.9
=251001–1200University of Ghana32.1–35.41732.249.246.850.3
=251001–1200University of Sadat City32.1–35.417.81166.419.150.7
=251001–1200University of the Free State32.1–35.423.12049.630.651.7
=251001–1200Zagazig University32.1–35.417.911.271.236.450.7
=421201–1500Ahmadu Bello University27.3–32.024.31058.920.644.2
=421201–1500Assiut University27.3–32.023.612.448.325.357.9
=421201–1500Benha University27.3–32.016.510.363.92249
=421201–1500Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)27.3–32.023.714.133.119.673.2
=421201–1500Damanhour University27.3–32.0159.456.917.249.1
=421201–1500Fayoum University27.3–32.018.312.260.923.647.5
=421201–1500Federal University of Technology, Minna27.3–32.022.38.551.817.844.6
=421201–1500Ibn Tofaïl University27.3–32.026.622.247.822.627.2
=421201–1500Ibn Zohr University27.3–32.020.911.855.12133.8
=421201–1500Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology27.3–32.017.716.653.326.746.5
=421201–1500Menoufia University27.3–32.015.910.559.728.248.8
=421201–1500Mohammed V University of Rabat27.3–32.029.316.141.943.632.1
=421201–1500Nelson Mandela University27.3–32.020.916.843.23443.8
=421201–1500October 6 University27.3–32.019.88.461.716.841
=421201–1500Port Said University27.3–32.013.310.361.429.748.6
=421201–1500Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University27.3–32.02611.142.719.250
=421201–1500Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University27.3–32.025.211.948.224.226.2
=421201–1500Sohag University27.3–32.0159.255.120.652.2
=421201–1500South Valley University (Egypt)27.3–32.012.89.358.919.349.4
=421201–1500Suez Canal University27.3–32.0209.956.328.551.9
=421201–1500The British University in Egypt27.3–32.016.712.15319.137.4
=421201–1500Universidade Eduardo Mondlane27.3–32.011.38.760.321.152.3
=421201–1500Université Djillali Liabès de Sidi Bel-Abbès27.3–32.025.59.746.317.636.8
=421201–1500University of El Oued27.3–32.019.88.95317.544.2
=421201–1500University of Ilorin27.3–32.015.512.664.820.242.6
=421201–1500University of Jendouba27.3–32.019.223.237.151.446.4
=421201–1500University of Jos27.3–32.015.38.655.918.446.4
=421201–1500University of Manouba27.3–32.025.99.742.123.945.8
=421201–1500University of Mauritius27.3–32.027.514.942.241.337.5
=421201–1500University of Nigeria Nsukka27.3–32.0321140.320.341.4
=421201–1500University of Sfax27.3–32.029.712.341.539.346
=421201–1500University of South Africa27.3–32.019.717.85130.442.2
=421201–1500University of Tripoli27.3–32.014.610.766.117.243.3
=421201–1500Zewail City of Science and Technology27.3–32.023.710.548.223.740.6
=761501+Abdelmalek Essaâdi University10.3–27.222.911.143.120.729
=761501+Babcock University10.3–27.227.69.941.81633.5
=761501+Badji Mokhtar University – Annaba10.3–27.239.98.81721.335.3
=761501+Blida 1 University10.3–27.218.38.215.718.235.2
=761501+Delta State University, Abraka10.3–27.213.59.415.116.324
=761501+Durban University of Technology10.3–27.217.91438.12551.2
=761501+Ekiti State University10.3–27.224.210.117.316.431.6
=761501+Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta10.3–27.217.78.824.321.134.8
=761501+Federal University of Technology Akure10.3–27.224.412.24023.946.6
=761501+Federal University of Technology, Owerri10.3–27.225.28.323.726.940.5
=761501+Federal University Oye-Ekiti10.3–27.210.39.216.516.339.9
=761501+Ferhat Abbas Sétif University 110.3–27.215.38.53620.939
=761501+Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef10.3–27.216.21245.231.142.2
=761501+Helwan University10.3–27.222.7943.12347.6
=761501+Ibn Khaldoun University10.3–27.213.78.519.217.234.8
=761501+Kenyatta University10.3–27.214.39.134.217.454.6
=761501+Ladoke Akintola University of Technology10.3–27.21410.740.725.637.2
=761501+Lagos State University10.3–27.217.110.530.120.945.5
=761501+Larbi Tebessi University10.3–27.218.69.121.317.230.7
=761501+M’Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdès10.3–27.215.78.620.922.432.6
=761501+Misr University for Science and Technology10.3–27.215.68.831.518.141.2
=761501+Moulay Ismail University10.3–27.21410.856.721.327.9
=761501+Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences10.3–27.221.614.930.327.554.6
=761501+Nile University10.3–27.215.212.934.638.831.4
=761501+Nnamdi Azikiwe University10.3–27.223.38.636.219.236
=761501+Obafemi Awolowo University10.3–27.221.513.43645.541.1
=761501+October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA)10.3–27.221.29.140.317.230.8
=761501+Oran 1 University10.3–27.226.28.811.519.237.7
=761501+Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma10.3–27.218.78.630.619.535.6
=761501+Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD)10.3–27.216.310.717.523.952.2
=761501+Université Chouaïb Doukkali10.3–27.215.811.640.121.528.3
=761501+Université de Gabès10.3–27.220.311.53520.544.2
=761501+Université de Skikda10.3–27.2137.748.616.942.2
=761501+Université Frères Mentouri Constantine 110.3–27.220.28.815.219.236.8
=761501+Université Hassan II de Casablanca10.3–27.222.39.444.62728.5
=761501+Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla10.3–27.228.210.22117.332.6
=761501+Université Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi-Ouzou10.3–27.218.286.617.141.1
=761501+Université Sultan Moulay Slimane10.3–27.218.6134618.222.9
=761501+University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem10.3–27.222.17.910.716.635.5
=761501+University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech10.3–27.223.310.94324.538.3
=761501+University for Development Studies10.3–27.224.410.735.218.449.2
=761501+University Mohamed Boudiaf of M’Sila10.3–27.218.59.815.718.735.5
=761501+University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd Tlemcen10.3–27.227.38.213.720.135.3
=761501+University of Batna 210.3–27.220.27.610.317.128.7
=761501+University of Béjaïa10.3–27.217.48.71919.543.8
=761501+University of Benin10.3–27.215.69.250.517.835.5
=761501+University of Biskra10.3–27.218.28.323.618.738.5
=761501+University of Calabar10.3–27.220.49.639.71739
=761501+University of Carthage10.3–27.224.810.232.234.743.9
=761501+University of Dar es Salaam10.3–27.214.511.126.521.947.2
=761501+University of Jijel10.3–27.215.98.715.517.333.9
=761501+University of Laghouat10.3–27.217.48.220.517.140.9
=761501+University of Mascara10.3–27.215.7827.11743.2
=761501+University of Monastir10.3–27.224.210.939.832.746.9
=761501+University of Nairobi10.3–27.215.916.139.722.549.4
=761501+University of Namibia10.3–27.214.5927.217.760.4
=761501+University of Oum El Bouaghi10.3–27.223.814.530.830.132
=761501+University of Port Harcourt10.3–27.220.68.819.521.237.6
=761501+University of Rwanda10.3–27.214.114.925.621.157.5
=761501+University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed-Boudiaf10.3–27.238.68.411.122.431.9
=761501+University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene10.3–27.219.78.314.525.132.3
=761501+University of Sousse10.3–27.226.910.63123.141.6
=761501+University of Tunis10.3–27.233.31024.428.339.8
=761501+University of Zambia10.3–27.216.411.131.12457.4
=761501+University of Zimbabwe10.3–27.214.210.643.820.951.3
=761501+Ziane Achour University of Djelfa10.3–27.217.78.410.216.831.9

Key insights from the 2026 Africa University Rankings

  • The University of Cape Town in South Africa is the top university in Africa in 2026, maintaining its position from last year. It ranks in the top 200 universities in the world
  • The Africa Ranking ranks 151 universities across 18 countries in the continent. These countries include Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania among others. 
  • Egypt is the most represented country with 36 universities present, while Algeria is the second most represented country with 28 countries. South Africa is the most represented country in the top 10 but with 13 universities in total. 

Choosing a university in Africa

When considering the top universities in Africa, prospective students should weigh factors like programme offerings, campus culture, location, and tuition fees. Whether you’re seeking high-quality programmes, research opportunities, or a vibrant campus life, Africa offers a wide range of options.

There are many great study abroad destinations to consider in Africa such as South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco or Egypt. Each country will offer something different for prospective students. 

Use the Africa university ranking above to explore institutions that align with your academic goals and career ambitions.

The table for the best universities in Africa was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the Africa university ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.

 

 

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University of Cape Town
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Discover the top universities in Africa with the Times Higher Education Africa Rankings 2026 and compare more than 150 institutions that rank the highest across the continent.

Times Higher Education's list ranks the best universities in Africa based on a comprehensive evaluation that covers areas such as teaching quality, research output, international collaboration, knowledge transfer, and industry connections.

The trusted methodology behind the rankings is developed by Times Higher Education's expert data team and is relied upon by students, academics, university leaders, policymakers, and industry partners worldwide to make informed decisions about higher education excellence. 

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