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Best universities in Africa 2025

Find the best universities in Africa using Times Higher Education’s data from the World University Rankings and the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, and learn how they shine a spotlight on higher education in this region.

  • Best universities in
November 11 2024
University of Cape Town campus

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Top 7 universities in Africa 2025

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Africa

Africa Rank 2025World University Rank 2025 World University Rank 2024 UniversityCountry
1=180 167 University of Cape TownSouth Africa
=2301–350 301–350 Stellenbosch UniversitySouth Africa
=2301–350 301–350 University of the WitwatersrandSouth Africa
=4401–500 NR Mohammed VI Polytechnic UniversityMorocco
=4401–500 401–500 University of JohannesburgSouth Africa
=6501–600 601–800 Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)Egypt
=6501–600 501–600 University of KwaZulu-NatalSouth Africa

 

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The best universities in Africa span 19 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 World University Rankings 2025.

Overall, Egypt and Algeria are the two best represented African countries in the ranking, with 35 and 26 universities each. While half of the top 10 is filled by universities in South Africa, 14 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 5 universities in Africa 2025

1. University of Cape Town, South Africa

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.

=2. Stellenbosch University, South Africa

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 conservatoire with two concert halls, home of the Stellenbosch University Choir – the oldest South African choir.

=2. University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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.

=4. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco

Established in 2016, Mohamed VI Polytechnic University is a not-for-profit, research focused private university located in the city of Benguerir, Morocco. The university is part of the Green City project launched by King Mohamed VI in 2009, an urban development scheme aimed at creating a model city promoting sustainability, research and education for the country.

Academically, the university is divided into five clusters: science and technology, humanities, economics and social sciences, business and management, and medical and paramedical. Each cluster is comprised of several schools, centres and institutes, offering a wide variety of courses. These can be at graduate, postgraduate and doctorate level.

4. University of Johannesburg, South Africa

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.

Best universities in Africa 2025

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2025 results

Africa Rank 2025World University Rank 2025 World University Rank 2024 UniversityCountry
1=180 167 University of Cape TownSouth Africa
=2301–350 301–350 Stellenbosch UniversitySouth Africa
=2301–350 301–350 University of the WitwatersrandSouth Africa
=4401–500 NR Mohammed VI Polytechnic UniversityMorocco
=4401–500 401–500 University of JohannesburgSouth Africa
=6501–600 601–800 Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)Egypt
=6501–600 501–600 University of KwaZulu-NatalSouth Africa
=8601–800 801–1000 American University in CairoEgypt
=8601–800 NR Future University in EgyptEgypt
=8601–800 801–1000 Kafrelsheikh UniversityEgypt
=8601–800 801–1000 Mansoura UniversityEgypt
=8601–800 501–600 University of PretoriaSouth Africa
=8601–800 601–800 University of the Western CapeSouth Africa
=14801–1000 801–1000 Al-Azhar UniversityEgypt
=14801–1000 801–1000 Cairo UniversityEgypt
=14801–1000 801–1000 Covenant UniversityNigeria
=14801–1000 601–800 North-West UniversitySouth Africa
=14801–1000 601–800 University of Cape CoastGhana
=14801–1000 801–1000 University of Tunis El ManarTunisia
=201001–1200 NR Ahmadu Bello UniversityNigeria
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Ain Shams UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 801–1000 Alexandria UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 801–1000 Aswan UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Benha UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Beni-Suef UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 801–1000 Damietta UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Fayoum UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 NR Landmark UniversityNigeria
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Minia UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 NR New Valley UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Suez Canal UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Suez UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Tanta UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 University of GhanaGhana
=201001–1200 801–1000 University of IbadanNigeria
=201001–1200 1001–1200 University of LagosNigeria
=201001–1200 1001–1200 University of SfaxTunisia
=201001–1200 801–1000 University of the Free StateSouth Africa
=201001–1200 801–1000 Zagazig UniversityEgypt
=201001–1200 1001–1200 Zewail City of Science and TechnologyEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime TransportEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Assiut UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Bayero UniversityNigeria
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)Botswana
=411201–1500 NR Damanhour UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Durban University of TechnologySouth Africa
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Federal University of Technology AkureNigeria
=411201–1500 NR Federal University of Technology, MinnaNigeria
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Helwan UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Ibn Tofaïl UniversityMorocco
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Jimma UniversityEthiopia
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyGhana
=411201–1500 801–1000 Makerere UniversityUganda
=411201–1500 NR Menoufia UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Mohammed V University of RabatMorocco
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Nile UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Port Said UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 NR Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySouth Africa
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah UniversityMorocco
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Sohag UniversityEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 South Valley University  (Egypt)Egypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 The British University in EgyptEgypt
=411201–1500 1201–1500 Universidade Eduardo MondlaneMozambique
=411201–1500 1001–1200 Université Djillali Liabès de Sidi Bel-AbbèsAlgeria
=411201–1500 1501+ University of BeninNigeria
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of BotswanaBotswana
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of IlorinNigeria
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of ManoubaTunisia
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of MauritiusMauritius
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of MonastirTunisia
=411201–1500 1201–1500 University of Nigeria NsukkaNigeria
=411201–1500 NR University of Sadat CityEgypt
=411201–1500 1001–1200 University of South AfricaSouth Africa
=741501+ 1501+ Abdelmalek Essaâdi UniversityMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ Badji Mokhtar University – AnnabaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Blida 1 UniversityAlgeria
=741501+ NR Ekiti State UniversityNigeria
=741501+ 1501+ Federal University of Agriculture, AbeokutaNigeria
=741501+ NR Federal University of Technology, OwerriNigeria
=741501+ NR Federal University Oye-EkitiNigeria
=741501+ 1201–1500 Ferhat Abbas Sétif University 1Algeria
=741501+ 1501+ German University in CairoEgypt
=741501+ 1501+ Hassiba Benbouali University of ChlefAlgeria
=741501+ NR Ibn Khaldoun UniversityAlgeria
=741501+ NR Kenyatta UniversityKenya
=741501+ 1501+ Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyNigeria
=741501+ 1501+ Lagos State UniversityNigeria
=741501+ NR Larbi Tebessi UniversityAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ M’Hamed Bougara University of BoumerdèsAlgeria
=741501+ NR Misr University for Science and TechnologyEgypt
=741501+ 1501+ Moulay Ismail UniversityMorocco
=741501+ 1001–1200 Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesTanzania
=741501+ 1501+ Nnamdi Azikiwe UniversityNigeria
=741501+ 1501+ Obafemi Awolowo UniversityNigeria
=741501+ NR October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA)Egypt
=741501+ 1501+ Oran 1 UniversityAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université 8 Mai 1945 GuelmaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université Chouaïb DoukkaliMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ Université de GabèsTunisia
=741501+ 1201–1500 Université de SkikdaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université Frères Mentouri Constantine 1Algeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université Hassan 1erMorocco
=741501+ 1201–1500 Université Hassan II de CasablancaMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ Université Kasdi Merbah OuarglaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université Mohammed PremierMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ Université Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi-OuzouAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ Université Sultan Moulay SlimaneMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis MostaganemAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University for Development StudiesGhana
=741501+ 1501+ University Mohamed Boudiaf of M’SilaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd TlemcenAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of Batna 2Algeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of BéjaïaAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of BiskraAlgeria
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of CarthageTunisia
=741501+ 1501+ University of Dar es SalaamTanzania
=741501+ NR University of Fort HareSouth Africa
=741501+ 1501+ University of JijelAlgeria
=741501+ NR University of KinshasaDemocratic Republic of the Congo
=741501+ 1501+ University of LaghouatAlgeria
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of Marrakech Cadi AyyadMorocco
=741501+ 1501+ University of MascaraAlgeria
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of NairobiKenya
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of NamibiaNamibia
=741501+ NR University of Oum El BouaghiAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of Port HarcourtNigeria
=741501+ NR University of RwandaRwanda
=741501+ 1501+ University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed-BoudiafAlgeria
=741501+ 1501+ University of Sciences and Technology Houari BoumedieneAlgeria
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of SousseTunisia
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of TunisTunisia
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of VendaSouth Africa
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of ZambiaZambia
=741501+ 1201–1500 University of ZimbabweZimbabwe
=741501+ NR Usmanu Danfodiyo University, SokotoNigeria

 

 

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