Complete List Of The Best Universities In Africa 2023 -2024

Africa is home to many universities, some of which are ranked among the greatest in the world. These universities, which are spread across the continent, are known for their educational brilliance. Do you want to study in Africa? Consider the greatest African universities.

1. University of Cape Town

South Africa’s oldest university, the University of Cape Town, is placed joint 173rd in the QS World University Rankings 2024. The University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest university. Its motto is simply ‘Good Hope.’ It has six campuses, some of which are urban and some of which are suburban. It also provides degrees, such as master’s and doctorate degrees.

A variety of courses are available here. Even foreign students are welcome at the university.

2. University of the Witwatersrand

The University of Witwatersrand (Wits) has multiple campuses in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a research university with undergraduate and graduate programs.

It has five campuses in metropolitan and suburban Johannesburg, the country’s largest city. It ranks tied 264th this year. The university boasts 40,000 students, and 97% find jobs within six months of graduating, according to its website.

Around 3,600 courses are offered at Witwatersrand. Including undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Since 1896, the University of Wits has produced exceptional people who have shaped their world. Nelson Mandela, a remarkable leader, graduated from Witwatersrand.

Witwatersrand University is a wonderful choice for students. It accepts local and international students.

3. Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University, in the Western Cape, South Africa, was founded in 1918. The oldest public research university in Africa is known for its academic prowess. Having four campuses, its motto reads: “Good education strengthens the spirit.

Stellenbosch University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law, medicine, surgery, and more. About 150 departments from 10 faculties are there.

Anyone, regardless of race, can join. Students who choose campus living have hostels. Consider it if you want to study in Africa. Stellenbosch University ranks 283rd globally this year.

4. University of Johannesburg

After merging Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand, and Vista University’s Soweto and East Rand campuses, the University of Johannesburg became one of South Africa’s youngest QS World University Rankings universities. Founded in 2005, it has taught students technical skills and ranks 306th this year.

Famous as a South African scientific cluster. Research-intensive, this top South African university can help students succeed in business, economics, engineering, health sciences, and other subjects.

The university has world-class undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It has around 50,000 students and multiple program options. Application instructions are clear on the university’s website and should be followed.

5. University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria, founded in 1908, is a premier public university for research and education. The institution has a business school, nine faculties, and provides over 1800 academic programs.

The university focuses on achieving effective ideas that can benefit the economy of South Africa and other neighboring countries. Students can select from a wide range of majors, minors, specialties, and graduate degree programs. Many of the courses are also offered in English and Afrikaans.

South Africa’s University of Pretoria, ranked joint 323rd in the world this year, is one of the country’s largest universities, with approximately 52,000 students spread across seven campuses.

6. Cairo University

Cairo University was founded in 1908. It is home to 20 faculties and three institutions. It is one among the world’s top 50 higher education centers.

Its School of Medicine was one of the first to be established in an African higher education center, and its School of Law is regarded as one of the greatest on the continent.

Cairo University in Egypt is listed among the top 400 (#371) in the world this year. Despite the name, its main campus is in Giza, 20 kilometers southwest of Cairo, across the Nile.

7. University of Kwazulu-Natal

It is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and has been in existence since 2004, when it combined with another university, The University of Durban-Westville.

It is a public university with five campuses, one of which was previously known as the University of Durban-Westville.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal‘s motto is “Inspiring Greatness.” Its colours are red and black. There are four colleges at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Many schools are housed in these colleges. In the QS world university rankings, it is rated #621-630.

8. University of Ibadan

In Oyo State, Nigeria, the school offers higher education. University status was achieved in 1963. The University of Ibadan offers postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in arts, medicine, and more. Formerly University College, Ibadan (UCI), the university is one of Nigeria’s top research-intensive universities.

Its motto is “Recte Sapere Fons,” meaning “To think straight is the fount of knowledge.” Nigeria’s economic, political, and social growth was boosted by the University of Ibadan, the first to grant degrees. Its famous alumni include novelist Chinua Achebe and playwright Wole Soyinka. It ranks #1401+ in QS World University Rankings 2024.

9. Mansoura University

One of Egypt’s top public universities is Mansoura University. It ranks #1001-1200 in QS World University Rankings 2024.

Mansoura University located 120km northwest of Cairo on the east bank of the Nile. Since 1972, Mansoura University has been ranked worldwide and in the top 30 of the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2019. Over 7,000 academic members teach 165,000 undergraduates and 18,000 postgraduates in a variety of courses. The majority of Mansoura University degrees are taught in English. Arab-taught degrees are also available. Nine main hospitals, medical centers, and a medical experience research center make Mansoura University famous for its medical facilities.

10. North-West University

North-West University, located in the South African city of Potchefstroom (often known as Potch by locals), has approximately 35,000 students, the majority of whom are undergraduate students. North-West University is placed in the top 10 universities in Africa, as well as in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for two subjects: medicine and agriculture and forestry.

The university is also noted for its innovative teaching methods and emphasis on academic success. Economic and management sciences, business and governance, industrial psychology, and tourism are among the areas where the institution excels.

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, it has a ranking of #801-850.

11. Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University was established in Egypt in 1950. The institution has seven campus locations and offers both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Alabassya has four, Heliopolis has two, and Shubra Elkheima has one.

Ain Shams University in Cairo (ASU, Cairo) is one of Egypt’s leading public universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, it is rated #721-730.

12. The American University in Cairo

Next in our look at the best universities in Africa is the American University in Cairo which this year is ranked joint 415th in the world. The university teaches in English and possesses Egypt’s largest English-language library collection.

13. Makerere University, Uganda

Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa.

Makerere University is one of the top public universities in Kampala, Uganda. It is ranked #951-1000 in QS World University Rankings 2024.

14.  University of Ghana, Ghana

The University of Ghana, Ghana’s oldest and largest public university, was founded in 1948 as an affiliate college of the University of London. Unique courses are available at the University in the arts, business, physical and biological sciences, law, agriculture, nuclear and allied sciences, and engineering sciences.

The University of Ghana is a prominent public university in Legon, Ghana. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, it is placed #951-1000.

15.  University of Nairobi, Kenya

The University of Nairobi responded to the high level manpower training demands of the nation, region, and Africa by building and evolving strong, diverse academic programs and specialties in sciences, applied sciences, technology, humanities, social sciences, and the arts. Approximately two hundred programs are now available.

The University of Nairobi is one of Kenya’s leading state universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, it is placed #1001-1200.

16.  University of Namibia

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is the country’s largest and most prestigious national institution of higher learning. It is a multicultural institution with students from all across the continent. According to student ratings on Studyportals, the greatest place to find out how students assess their study and living experience at universities all over the world, the University of Namibia is placed 1201 in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings and has an overall score of 3.5 stars.

17. University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia

University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), founded in 2000, offers a wide range of degrees in law, literature, environmental sciences, health sciences, medicine, economics, engineering and technology, sciences, humanities, IT, social sciences. It is one of the best universities in Tunisia.

Other top universities in Africa include:

• University of Cape Coast – Ghana
• Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) – Egypt
• University of the Western Cape – South Africa
• Al-Azhar University – Egypt
• Alexandria University – Egypt
• Aswan University – Egypt
• Covenant University – Nigeria
• Damietta University – Egypt
• University of the Free State – South Africa
• Kafrelsheikh University – Egypt
• Zagazig University – Egypt
• Benha University – Egypt
• Beni-Suef University – Egypt
• Université Djillali Liabès de Sidi Bel-Abbès – Algeria
• Durban University of Technology – South Africa
• Fayoum University – Egypt
• Federal University of Technology Akure – Nigeria
• Jimma University – Ethiopia
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Ghana
• University of Lagos – Nigeria
• Minia University – Egypt
• Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences – Tanzania
• Nile University – Egypt
• University of Sfax – Tunisia
• Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University – Morocco
• University of South Africa – South Africa
• Suez University – Egypt
• Suez Canal University – Egypt
• Tanta University – Egypt
• Zewail City of Science and Technology – Egypt
• Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport – Egypt
• Assiut University – Egypt
• Bayero University – Nigeria
• University of Botswana – Botswana
• Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) – Botswana
• The British University in Egypt –  Egypt
• University of Carthage – Tunisia
• Universidade Eduardo Mondlane – Mozambique
• Ferhat Abbas Sétif University – Algeria
• Université Hassan II de Casablanca – Morocco
• Helwan University –  Egypt
• Ibn Tofaïl University – Morocco
• University of Ilorin – Nigeria
• University of Manouba – Tunisia
• University of Marrakech Cadi Ayyad – Morocco
• University of Mauritius – Mauritius
• Mohammed V University of Rabat – Morocco
• University of Monastir – Tunisia
• University of Nigeria Nsukka – Nigeria
• Port Said University – Egypt
• Université de Skikda – Algeria
• Sohag University – Egypt
• University of Sousse – Tunisia
• South Valley University –  Egypt
• University of Venda – South Africa
• University of Zambia – Zambia
• University of Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe
• Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma –  Algeria
• University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem – Algeria
• Abdelmalek Essaâdi University – Morocco
• University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd Tlemcen – Algeria
• Afe Babalola University – Nigeria
• Badji Mokhtar University – Annaba Algeria
• University of Batna  – Algeria
• University of Béjaïa – Algeria
• University of Benin – Nigeria
• University of Biskra – Algeria
• Blida 1 University – Algeria
• Université Chouaïb Doukkali – Morocco
• University of Dar es Salaam – Tanzania
• University for Development Studies – Ghana
• Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – Nigeria
• Université Frères Mentouri Constantine – Algeria
• Université de Gabès – Tunisia
• German University in Cairo – Egypt
• Université Hassan 1er – Morocco
• Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef – Algeria
• University of Jijel – Algeria
• Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla – Algeria
• Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – Nigeria
• University of Laghouat – Algeria
• Lagos State University – Nigeria
• University of Mascara – Algeria
• M’Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdès – Algeria
• University Mohamed Boudiaf of M’Sila – Algeria
• Université Mohammed Premier – Morocco
• Moulay Ismail University – Morocco
• Université Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi-Ouzou – Algeria
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University – Nigeria
• Obafemi Awolowo University – Nigeria
• Oran 1 University – Algeria
• University of Port Harcourt – Nigeria
• University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene – Algeria
• University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed-Boudiaf – Algeria
• Université Sultan Moulay Slimane – Morocco