The best universities in Africa are not only advanced in academic research but also equipping learners with skills necessary to solve global challenges. It is here that the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change makers are nurtured. Let us now explore the top ranking higher learning institutions in the academic frontier across the continent.
The list showcases institutions that stand out for their culture of excellence, research output, impact on community, and commitment to international standards.
While South Africa is ranked among the best countries to study in , there are several other options for learners seeking marketable skills.
Which is the best university in Africa?
The University of Cape Town popularly called UCT is a global university in Afrika unleashing human potential to create a fair and just society.
Country South Africa Founded 1829 Email [email protected] Telephone +27216509111 Website https://uct.ac.za
Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa.
The University of the Witwatersrand is a multi-campus public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg, South Africa.
Country South Africa Founded 1896 Email [email protected] Telephone +27117171000 Website https://www.wits.ac.za
Founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley, it is the third oldest South African university in continuous operation.
Stellenbosch University is a public research centre situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Country South Africa Founded 1866 Email [email protected] Telephone +27 21 808 9111 Website https://www.sun.ac.za
Stellenbosch which received full university status in 1918 is the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest extant campus in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The University of Pretoria is a multi-campus public research universit y in Pretoria, one of the most populous cities in South Africa.
Country South Africa Founded 1908 Email [email protected] Telephone +27 12 420 3111 Website https://www.up.ac.za
The university established in 1908 as the Pretoria campus of the Transvaal University College is the fourth South African institution in continuous operation to be awarded university status.
Cairo University is Egypt’s premier public university with its main campus situated in Giza.
Country Egypt Founded 1908 Address 1 Gamaa Street, Giza, Egypt Telephone +20 2 3567 2000 Website https://cu.edu.eg
Founded in 1908, the varsity was called Egyptian University until 1940. Besides, it is the second oldest institution of higher education in Egypt after Al-Azhar University.
Country Mauritius Founded 1965 Email [email protected] Telephone +230 403 7400 Website https://www.uom.ac.mu/
Country Ghana Founded 1962 Email [email protected] Telephone +233 33 213 2240 Website https://ucc.edu.gh
Country Nigeria Founded 1975 Email [email protected] Telephone +234 31 740 000 Website https://www.unilorin.edu.ng
Country Nigeria Founded 1975 Email [email protected] Telephone +234 84 230 000 Website https://www.uniport.edu.ng
Country DRC Founded 1954 Email [email protected] Telephone +243 81 555 0000 Website https://www.unikin.ac.cd
Enlisted are other competitive institutions in the world .
Rhodes University
North-West University
Mansoura University
University of the Western Cape
Tshwane University of Technology
University of the Free State
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Nelson Mandela University
Ain Shams University
Cheikh Anta Diop University
University of Sfax
University of Tlemcen
University of Constantine 1
University of Oran 1
University of Annaba
University of Batna
University of Bejaia
University of Guelma
University of Jijel
University of Khenchela
University of Laghouat
University of Mascara
University of Medea
University of Mohamed Khider-Biskra
University of M’sila
University of Oum El Bouaghi
University of Saida
University of Setif
University of Skikda
University of Souk Ahras
University of Tiaret
University of Tipaza
University of Tissemsilt
University of Adrar
University of Blida
University of Bordj Bou Arréridj
University of Bouira
University of El Bayadh
University of El Oued
University of Ghardaia
University of Illizi
University of Ouargla
University of Relizane
University of Tindouf
University of Tizi-Ouzou
University of Béchar
University of Djelfa
University of El Tarf
University of Laghouat
University of Mila
University of Naama
University of Oran 2
University of Tebessa
University of Tamanrasset
University of Batna 2
University of Annaba 2
University of Medea 2
University of Relizane 2
University of Ain Temouchent
University of El Meghaier
University of Timimoun
University of Djanet
There are even more of these higher learning institutions in various continents including Europe, Australia, Asia, South America, and North America.
No Country Population 1 Algeria 46 million 2 Angola 36.8 million 3 Benin 14.2 million 4 Botswana 2.5 million 5 Burkina Faso 23 million 6 Burundi 13.7 million 7 Cameroon 28.5 million 8 Cape Verde 523k 9 Central African Republic 5.2 million 10 Chad 20 million 11 Comoros 850k 12 Djibouti 1.2 million 13 DR Congo 105.8 million 14 Egypt 114.5 million 15 Equatorial Guinea 1.9 million 16 Eritrea 3.5 million 17 Eswatini 1.3 million 18 Ethiopia 128.7 million 19 Gabon 2.5 million 20 Gambia 2.7 million 21 Ghana 33.8 million 22 Guinea 14.5 million 23 Guinea-Bissau 2.2 million 24 Ivory Coast 31.2 million 25 Kenya 55.4 million 26 Lesotho 2.3 million 27 Liberia 5.5 million 28 Libya 7.3 million 29 Madagascar 31.2 million 30 Malawi 21 million 31 Mali 23.8 million 32 Mauritania 5 million 33 Mauritius 1.3 million 34 Morocco 37.7 million 35 Mozambique 33.6 million 36 Namibia 3 million 37 Niger 26 million 38 Nigeria 228 million 39 Republic of the Congo 6.2 million 40 Réunion 897k 41 Rwanda 14 million 42 São Tomé and Príncipe 231k 43 Senegal 18 million 44 Seychelles 128 million 45 Sierra Leone 8.5 million 46 Somalia 18.4 million 47 South Africa 63 million 48 South Sudan 11.5 million 49 Sudan 50 million 50 Tanzania 66.7 million 51 Togo 9.3 million 52 Tunisia 12 million 53 Uganda 48.7 million 54 Western Sahara 580k 55 Zambia 20.7 million 56 Zimbabwe 16.4 million Total 1.5 billion
The number of world-class universities in Africa continues to rise amid rampant digitization and population spike.
I am a digital creative cum graduate Mechatronics Engineer from Dedan Kimathi University; with over a decade of experience in computer applications, networking, website design, graphic design, blogging, CAD, and robotics. Besides, I coach on-demand digital skills at Rejnac Masterclass .
