Top 10 Universities in Africa 2023

Here are the top 10 universities in Africa according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. South African universities dominate the rankings with some Egyptian universities featured on the list.

So let’s get down the list of the top universities in Africa. You can watch the video below and scroll down for more details.

10. Al Akhawayn University

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane is an independent, public, non-profit, coeducational, Moroccan university committed to educating future citizen-leaders of Morocco and the world through a globally oriented, English language, liberal arts curriculum based on the American system.

The Moroccan university was founded on January 16, 1995. It is the #1 ranked university in Morocco, #801-1000 in the world, and shares the #10 spot with the other 7 universities in Africa which are listed below.

• Al Azhar University, Egypt
• University of Nairobi, Kenya
• North-West University, South Africa
• Alexandria University, Egypt
• University of the Western Cape, South Africa
• Assiut University, Egypt
• Rhodes University, South Africa

9. University of KwaZulu-Natal

The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a public university with five campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.

UKZN is the 7th ranked university in South Africa, #9 in Africa, and #751-800 in the world.

8. Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University is Egypt’s 3rd ranked university and occupies the number 8 position in Africa as well as #701-750 in the world university rankings.

The 4-star rated university is located in Cairo, Egypt, and was founded in July 1950. The university provides education at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels.

7. University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria. The university is commonly referred to as UP, Tuks, or Tukkies. Check out UP Portal.

Since 1997, UP has produced more research outputs every year than any other institution of higher learning in South Africa.

UP is ranked #7 in Africa and #561-570 in the global ranking.

6. University of Johannesburg

The University of Johannesburg, UJ is a public educational institution that came into existence on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University.

The Afropolitan international university is known for producing several sports personalities and it is ranked #6 in Africa, #4 in South Africa, and #551-560 in the world.

5. Cairo University

Cairo University was established in 1908; currently, it has 26 faculties/institutions in different scientific disciplines, with a total volume of about 250000 students.

Cairo University is Egypt’s premier public university, with its main campus is in Giza. It is one of the oldest universities in Africa.

The university which has produced Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) is ranked #5 in Africa and #521-530 in the Global World Ranking.

4. The American University in Cairo

Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) has become an essential contributor to the intellectual, cultural, and social life of Egypt.

The university offers American-style learning programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, along with a continuing education program.

It is ranked #420 in the world, #4 in Africa, and #6 in the Arab region’s rankings.

3. Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University, a public research university situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province is one of the oldest universities in South Africa.

The university which produced Johann Rupert is ranked #405 in the world and #3 in Africa.

2. University of Witwatersrand

The University of Witwatersrand commonly known as wits university is obviously one of the top universities in Africa and #381 in the world.

The multi-campus South African public research university is situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg.

Wits academics regularly publish world-leading research in the fields of natural science, medical and health science, social science, humanities, and engineering.

1. University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town is a public university in South Africa that was founded in 1829 and it is the 4th oldest university in Africa. UCT is ranked the number 1 university in Africa and number 200 in the QS Global World Ranking.

The university has a relatively high amount of international students, very high research outputs, and a high graduate employability rate.