Best universities in Africa 2027

Discover the top universities in Africa with the Times Higher Education Africa Rankings 2027 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.

October 1 2026

Top universities in Africa 2027

Africa Rank 2027	World University Rank 2027	University	Overall	Teaching	Research Environment	Research Quality	Industry	International Outlook
1	=147	University of Cape Town	62.4	42.2	49.9	88.4	79.4	77.7
2	301–325	University of the Witwatersrand	53.4–54.8	37.3	44.7	71.3	92.8	72.6
3	326–350	Stellenbosch University	52.3–53.3	34	42.4	75.3	90.9	58.6
4	351–375	University of Johannesburg	51.6–52.2	32	40.4	72.4	82.7	80.2
5	376–400	University Mohammed VI Polytechnic	50.5–51.5	36.7	35.2	72.7	59.5	75.9
6	451–500	University of Pretoria	47.4–48.7	35	40.5	60.8	68.5	72
7	501–550	University of KwaZulu-Natal	46.0–47.3	33.2	38.8	62.9	49.4	54.2
=8	701–800	American University in Cairo	40.2–42.3	29.9	33.2	51.7	32.2	70.1
=8	701–800	University of the Western Cape	40.2–42.3	25.9	28	69.6	26	61.2
=10	801–1000	Al-Azhar University	36.4–40.1	27	16.3	62.6	23	61
=10	801–1000	Alexandria University	36.4–40.1	20.4	19.2	66.3	31.6	53.6
=10	801–1000	Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport	36.4–40.1	36.5	23.3	45	28	75.8
=10	801–1000	Cairo University	36.4–40.1	29.6	23	61.2	42.3	48.2
=10	801–1000	Covenant University	36.4–40.1	21.4	32.5	49.8	61	48.6
=10	801–1000	Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)	36.4–40.1	19.8	26.9	61.8	41.5	52.1
=10	801–1000	Future University in Egypt	36.4–40.1	22.6	12.7	74.1	19.6	63.5
=10	801–1000	International University of Rabat	36.4–40.1	20.5	14	71.9	33.6	76.1
=10	801–1000	Makerere University	36.4–40.1	24	29.1	53.9	24.6	66.4
=10	801–1000	Mansoura University	36.4–40.1	20.6	13.8	72.2	33.3	76.4
=10	801–1000	North-West University	36.4–40.1	22	21.1	62.8	46.9	55.4
=10	801–1000	University of Cape Coast	36.4–40.1	24.3	22	63.3	34.4	43.7
=10	801–1000	University of Ghana	36.4–40.1	19.3	36	54.1	47.7	48.8
=10	801–1000	University of Ibadan	36.4–40.1	31.2	19.9	64.9	22.2	44.9
=10	801–1000	University of Lagos	36.4–40.1	21.2	20.8	67.8	31.3	45.6
=10	801–1000	University of Tunis El Manar	36.4–40.1	46.5	30	32.7	70.7	55.5
=10	801–1000	Zagazig University	36.4–40.1	19.4	12.9	73.6	32.8	50.9
=27	1001–1200	Ahmadu Bello University	33.3–36.3	28	13.9	60.3	34.8	46.4
=27	1001–1200	Ain Shams University	33.3–36.3	29.6	18.2	52.8	38.6	53.7
=27	1001–1200	Aswan University	33.3–36.3	18.6	13.7	65.7	24.3	49.5
=27	1001–1200	Bayero University	33.3–36.3	21.4	12.8	66.5	20.6	49
=27	1001–1200	Delta University for Science and Technology	33.3–36.3	17.9	13.9	70.9	17.9	51.6
=27	1001–1200	Galala University	33.3–36.3	15.8	13.3	69.8	20.3	46.8
=27	1001–1200	Ibn Tofaïl University	33.3–36.3	28.6	26.4	53.3	23.1	25.4
=27	1001–1200	Landmark University	33.3–36.3	20.2	18	61.5	23.9	38.7
=27	1001–1200	Minia University	33.3–36.3	17.6	11.1	68.8	25.9	50.4
=27	1001–1200	Tanta University	33.3–36.3	19.2	11	67.6	22.7	48.6
=27	1001–1200	University of Ilorin	33.3–36.3	21.7	14.5	69.4	20.9	43.2
=27	1001–1200	University of Sadat City	33.3–36.3	15	12.2	72.1	19.5	49.1
=39	1201–1400	Assiut University	30.5–33.2	25.8	14.4	46.7	26.8	56
=39	1201–1400	Babcock University	30.5–33.2	27.5	11.6	54.9	15.9	36.2
=39	1201–1400	Benha University	30.5–33.2	16.1	12.1	61.9	22.8	47.8
=39	1201–1400	Beni-Suef University	30.5–33.2	16.6	13.4	59.9	23.3	55.4
=39	1201–1400	Damietta University	30.5–33.2	16.6	12.8	67.5	19	46.7
=39	1201–1400	Durban University of Technology	30.5–33.2	21.8	19.5	45.6	31.3	48.1
=39	1201–1400	Fayoum University	30.5–33.2	19.3	13.9	57	24.6	46.3
=39	1201–1400	Horus University	30.5–33.2	15.9	9.9	70	17.2	48.1
=39	1201–1400	Kamuzu University of Health Sciences	30.5–33.2	22.3	24.3	41.8	30.8	58.3
=39	1201–1400	Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology	30.5–33.2	17.5	17.5	54.6	26.7	45.1
=39	1201–1400	Mekelle University	30.5–33.2	23.5	9.6	63.4	22.2	46.6
=39	1201–1400	Mohammed V University of Rabat	30.5–33.2	30.2	18.6	43.5	46.7	31.3
=39	1201–1400	New Valley University	30.5–33.2	25.1	9.6	59.9	16.8	48.1
=39	1201–1400	October 6 University	30.5–33.2	18	9.6	67.3	16.6	44.4
=39	1201–1400	Osun State University	30.5–33.2	23.6	25.6	43.8	17.6	40.3
=39	1201–1400	Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University	30.5–33.2	25.9	14.1	53.9	24	25.6
=39	1201–1400	Suez Canal University	30.5–33.2	22.2	11.8	59.1	28.3	51
=39	1201–1400	Suez University	30.5–33.2	18.8	11.5	65.7	25.4	48.4
=39	1201–1400	Université Sultan Moulay Slimane	30.5–33.2	20.7	16.3	58.8	19.2	22.6
=39	1201–1400	University of Botswana	30.5–33.2	14.1	15.8	60.3	19.9	61.4
=39	1201–1400	University of El Oued	30.5–33.2	20.3	10.1	58.7	16.7	43.9
=39	1201–1400	University of Jendouba	30.5–33.2	18.5	25.6	47.9	51	44.2
=39	1201–1400	University of Nigeria Nsukka	30.5–33.2	33.3	13.7	42.6	20.5	42.9
=39	1201–1400	University of Sfax	30.5–33.2	33.3	14	42.7	37.8	43.5
=39	1201–1400	University of South Africa	30.5–33.2	19.7	20.5	50.7	33	39.4
=39	1201–1400	University of the Free State	30.5–33.2	22	22.4	46.8	29.4	53.9
=39	1201–1400	University of Tripoli	30.5–33.2	14.3	11.8	65.7	17.2	43.1
=93	1401–1600	Badr University in Cairo (BUC)	27.3–30.4	14	10.7	59	16.2	42.8
=93	1401–1600	Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)	27.3–30.4	24.5	18.6	34.5	29	65.6
=93	1401–1600	Damanhour University	27.3–30.4	18.4	11.6	56.3	16.9	47.9
=93	1401–1600	Federal University of Technology, Minna	27.3–30.4	20.8	10.6	55.8	19.1	45.9
=93	1401–1600	Ibn Zohr University	27.3–30.4	18.2	12.2	53.7	20.4	32.7
=93	1401–1600	Menoufia University	27.3–30.4	15.9	12.3	55	27.1	47.7
=93	1401–1600	Moulay Ismail University	27.3–30.4	20.2	12.9	54.8	20.9	27.9
=93	1401–1600	Nelson Mandela University	27.3–30.4	19	20.2	46	37.5	44
=93	1401–1600	Nnamdi Azikiwe University	27.3–30.4	23.5	10.6	46.4	18.9	38.2
=93	1401–1600	Obafemi Awolowo University	27.3–30.4	22.3	15.7	37.7	50	43.1
=93	1401–1600	Port Said University	27.3–30.4	13.2	11.4	59.9	27.1	49.2
=93	1401–1600	Qena University	27.3–30.4	15.4	10.6	56.8	19.5	48.4
=93	1401–1600	Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University	27.3–30.4	21.7	14.6	41.9	29.4	50.1
=93	1401–1600	Sohag University	27.3–30.4	15.3	10.3	55.8	21.7	52
=93	1401–1600	The British University in Egypt	27.3–30.4	16.7	14.4	50.7	20	39.2
=93	1401–1600	Universidade Eduardo Mondlane	27.3–30.4	10.7	10.4	59.2	22.2	51.5
=93	1401–1600	University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech	27.3–30.4	21.3	12	46.5	21.5	35.7
=93	1401–1600	University of Benin	27.3–30.4	12.1	10.8	58.9	17.8	39.1
=93	1401–1600	University of Jos	27.3–30.4	16.1	9.8	54.7	17.7	46.6
=93	1401–1600	University of Maiduguri	27.3–30.4	14.5	9.1	57.8	17.4	45.8
=93	1401–1600	University of Manouba	27.3–30.4	24.3	11.9	44.7	22.8	43.8
=93	1401–1600	University of Mauritius	27.3–30.4	30.3	17.4	36.9	43.9	35.3
=93	1401–1600	University of Medea	27.3–30.4	18.1	9.4	53.5	17.5	35.2
=93	1401–1600	University of Monastir	27.3–30.4	22.7	12.5	42.3	33	44.9
=93	1401–1600	University of Oum El Bouaghi	27.3–30.4	24.7	16.1	44.4	31.1	33.1
=93	1401–1600	Zewail City of Science and Technology	27.3–30.4	23.3	11.4	50.8	25.6	39.6
=119	1601–1800	Abdelmalek Essaâdi University	24.2–27.1	24	13.2	42.5	23.2	27.8
=119	1601–1800	Badji Mokhtar University – Annaba	24.2–27.1	41	10.3	19.8	21.6	36.8
=119	1601–1800	Capital University	24.2–27.1	14.6	10.6	46.6	24.8	43.7
=119	1601–1800	Egyptian Russian University	24.2–27.1	22.3	10	45.4	16.4	41.3
=119	1601–1800	Federal University of Technology Akure	24.2–27.1	21.4	14.8	38.3	22.9	44.9
=119	1601–1800	Ferhat Abbas Sétif University 1	24.2–27.1	14.8	9.8	49.3	21	38
=119	1601–1800	Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef	24.2–27.1	15.9	12.7	43.3	30.7	41.1
=119	1601–1800	Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)	24.2–27.1	16.3	24.5	30.6	16.8	51.4
=119	1601–1800	Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences	24.2–27.1	23.1	17.2	30.4	28.8	48.8
=119	1601–1800	Pharos University	24.2–27.1	14.6	10.2	48.4	18.7	37.6
=119	1601–1800	Université Chouaïb Doukkali	24.2–27.1	15.4	15.1	48.4	23.1	27.4
=119	1601–1800	Université de Skikda	24.2–27.1	14.4	8.9	52.2	16.8	41.8
=119	1601–1800	Université Djillali Liabès de Sidi Bel-Abbès	24.2–27.1	23.6	10.4	42.1	17.5	35.1
=119	1601–1800	University for Development Studies	24.2–27.1	22.5	12.3	36.1	18.2	46.6
=119	1601–1800	University of Carthage	24.2–27.1	25.4	11.3	30.8	32.3	44.1
=119	1601–1800	University of Nairobi	24.2–27.1	16	14.4	40.4	22.5	48.2
=119	1601–1800	University of Sousse	24.2–27.1	27.7	12.4	31.8	25.4	39.7
=119	1601–1800	University of Tunis	24.2–27.1	33.7	12	26.5	27.7	37.7
=119	1601–1800	University of Zimbabwe	24.2–27.1	15	13.3	41.6	20.9	49.4
=138	1801–2000	Federal University of Technology, Owerri	20.4–24.1	20	9.3	28	27.2	39.6
=138	1801–2000	iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu	20.4–24.1	14.1	13	29.5	26.5	37.5
=138	1801–2000	Kenyatta University	20.4–24.1	13.8	10.3	32.7	17.3	54.9
=138	1801–2000	Ladoke Akintola University of Technology	20.4–24.1	13.7	12.4	39.3	24.4	38.4
=138	1801–2000	Lagos State University	20.4–24.1	17.8	12.7	34.2	18.4	45.8
=138	1801–2000	Larbi Tebessi University	20.4–24.1	18.4	9.6	32.5	17.1	31
=138	1801–2000	Misr University for Science and Technology	20.4–24.1	16.5	10	40.3	17.4	44.7
=138	1801–2000	Nile University	20.4–24.1	13.8	13.8	34.5	34.8	31.1
=138	1801–2000	October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA)	20.4–24.1	21.3	10.3	38.5	17.2	28.6
=138	1801–2000	Olabisi Onabanjo University	20.4–24.1	20.1	12.2	33.5	27.1	37.1
=138	1801–2000	Tshwane University of Technology	20.4–24.1	16.5	16.7	30.6	33.2	38
=138	1801–2000	Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma	20.4–24.1	18.9	9.8	35	20.2	35.1
=138	1801–2000	Université de Gabès	20.4–24.1	18.9	13.5	34.8	21.9	42.3
=138	1801–2000	Université Hassan 1er	20.4–24.1	18.8	10.9	31.2	17.9	22.1
=138	1801–2000	Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla	20.4–24.1	23.2	9.6	25	18	35.1
=138	1801–2000	University of Biskra	20.4–24.1	25.2	9.8	28.5	18.2	36.9
=138	1801–2000	University of Calabar	20.4–24.1	21.9	13.8	29.5	24.2	38.2
=138	1801–2000	University of Dar es Salaam	20.4–24.1	17	13	30.9	23.1	41.8
=138	1801–2000	University of Energy and Natural Resources	20.4–24.1	10.5	14.9	39	21.2	38.5
=138	1801–2000	University of Gafsa	20.4–24.1	16	10.4	29.7	17.5	43.3
=138	1801–2000	University of Kairouan	20.4–24.1	19.8	10	29.3	17.7	40.2
=138	1801–2000	University of Mascara	20.4–24.1	19.2	9.4	27.7	17	41.1
=138	1801–2000	University of Namibia	20.4–24.1	15.1	10.4	28.3	17.4	59.2
=138	1801–2000	University of Rwanda	20.4–24.1	14.2	17.5	31.6	22.3	56.7
=138	1801–2000	University of Venda	20.4–24.1	20.1	15.8	23	20.6	41
=138	1801–2000	University of Zambia	20.4–24.1	16.7	13.3	30.8	43.4	54.6
=138	1801–2000	Vaal University of Technology	20.4–24.1	12.9	12.1	32	19.9	44.2
=165	2001+	Blida 1 University	12.2–20.3	17.6	9.6	18.4	18.8	32.9
=165	2001+	Delta State University, Abraka	12.2–20.3	16.2	11	18.2	16.3	27
=165	2001+	Ekiti State University	12.2–20.3	22	11	22.8	17.3	34.5
=165	2001+	Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta	12.2–20.3	18	11	26.5	24.2	36
=165	2001+	Federal University Oye-Ekiti	12.2–20.3	10.2	12	19.9	17	40.9
=165	2001+	Ibn Khaldoun University	12.2–20.3	15	9.2	20.5	17.5	34.9
=165	2001+	Kwara State University	12.2–20.3	17.3	12.4	25.3	16.2	41.9
=165	2001+	Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike	12.2–20.3	20.8	9.6	24.7	17.1	40
=165	2001+	M’Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdès	12.2–20.3	14.7	9.1	22.9	22.3	31.5
=165	2001+	Oran 1 University	12.2–20.3	24.7	9.9	14.4	19.5	34.6
=165	2001+	Sokoine University of Agriculture	12.2–20.3	14.4	13.9	26	20.9	45
=165	2001+	Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD)	12.2–20.3	15.6	12.7	20.4	19.7	50.2
=165	2001+	Université Frères Mentouri Constantine 1	12.2–20.3	19.8	9.9	18.5	19.2	35.1
=165	2001+	Université Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi de Bordj Bou Arréridj	12.2–20.3	17.4	8.5	20	17	38.9
=165	2001+	Université Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi-Ouzou	12.2–20.3	18.4	8.8	7.6	17	38.4
=165	2001+	University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem	12.2–20.3	19.3	9	11.6	16.4	32.9
=165	2001+	University Mohamed Boudiaf of M’Sila	12.2–20.3	22.4	9.5	19.2	19	33.7
=165	2001+	University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd Tlemcen	12.2–20.3	27.1	9.2	12.9	20.3	33.9
=165	2001+	University of Algiers 1	12.2–20.3	16.9	9.7	14	16.8	35.1
=165	2001+	University of Batna 2	12.2–20.3	18.9	8.8	12.7	17.3	28.4
=165	2001+	University of Béjaïa	12.2–20.3	16	9.6	19.9	19.5	41.9
=165	2001+	University of Jijel	12.2–20.3	18.3	9.2	19.1	17	33.4
=165	2001+	University of Laghouat	12.2–20.3	19.8	9.1	17.1	17	38.2
=165	2001+	University of Port Harcourt	12.2–20.3	20.6	10.1	22.8	21.6	38.7
=165	2001+	University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed-Boudiaf	12.2–20.3	20.8	8.7	14	19.3	30.9
=165	2001+	University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene	12.2–20.3	18.4	9.4	17.2	25.6	29.9
=165	2001+	Ziane Achour University of Djelfa	12.2–20.3	20.6	9.1	17.5	16.6	33.3

Key insights from the 2027 Africa University Rankings

The University of Cape Town in South Africa is the top university in Africa in 2027, maintaining its position from last year. It ranks in the top 200 universities in the world
The Africa Ranking ranks 191 universities across 20 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 40 universities present, while Algeria is the second most represented country with 31 countries. South Africa is the most represented country in the top 10 but with 17 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 17 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.

Best universities in Africa 2027

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Top universities in Africa 2027

Key insights from the 2027 Africa University Rankings

Choosing a university in Africa

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