Top 20 Best Universities in Africa 2025

What are the top African universities? This list of the top 20 best universities in Africa 2025 consists of current and historically great African universities across the continent.

It includes public and private universities consistently recognized as outstanding institutions of higher learning by various organizations, such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and other popular sources. 

The best African universities are determined by reputation and factors such as faculty-to-student ratio, admission rate, acceptance rate, tuition cost, living costs, graduation rate, and more.

A list of Top 20 Best Universities in Africa are:

University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a multi-cultural and multi-cultural community comprising about 5 000 academics and administrative, professional support, and service personnel and around 29 000 students from more than 100 countries around the world. 

The university offers degrees across six faculties, including Commerce, it is also the best universities in south africa for engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences Law and Humanities, and Science. The UCT has around 7200 students who graduate every year.

University of the Witwatersrand

The University of Witwatersrand, commonly known as Wits, is a university with multiple campuses in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a research institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

best universities in Africa :Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University is situated in the middle of the Western Cape, in Stellenbosch, South Africa. It is Africa’s longest-running public research institution and the oldest university in Africa with a solid academic standing.

The University of Stellenbosch offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various disciplines, such as medicine, law, and surgery. It is split into ten faculties and has more than 150 departments. 

University of KwaZulu-Natal

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has five campuses that are located within the towns of Durban as well as Pietermaritzburg. The academic programs are split into four colleges: the college of engineering, agriculture and science and the school of health sciences, the humanities college, the law school, and management studies.

University of Cairo, Egypt

It is among the most important institutions in Egypt’s public sector, ranked 392 globally with 5th place in Africa. It is situated in the middle of Cairo, the city of beauty in Egypt.

The University of Cairo was founded in 1908. The campus is home to twenty faculties and three universities. It is among the best 50 universities for higher education around the world.

best universities in Africa :University of Johannesburg

The University of Johannesburg is one of the top universities in Africa and is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The school was established in 2005, following the amalgamation between Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand as well as Vista University’s Soweto and East Rand campuses. It has taught students crucial technical expertise since its inception.

University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan is the oldest and one of the best universities in Africa. It received full university status in 1963 and is located in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university has produced many notable alumni, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

The University of Ibadan offers postgraduate and undergraduate degrees across various subjects, including medical, arts, and other disciplines. University College, Ibadan University College, Ibadan (UCI) is among Nigeria’s most renowned research-intensive institutions.

University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria (UP)is one of the top universities in Africa and is ranked number 20 on the list of top universities in Africa for 2022. The University of Pretoria offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Some of the most popular and trending majors at the University of Pretoria include business, engineering, and law. The University of Pretoria has a strong reputation for academic excellence and is known for producing leaders in various fields.

Addis Ababa University

Founded in 1950, Addis Ababa University is one of Ethiopia’s oldest and largest universities. It is also among the best African universities, ranking within the top 20 for several years. 

Addis Ababa University is known for its strong research programs and has produced many notable alumni, including several prime ministers and cabinet ministers.

best universities in Africa: Mansoura University

Mansoura University is located in the center of the Egyptian Nile Delta and is ranked 477th globally as well as 10th in Africa. East Delta University was established in 1972. It changed the name of its institution in 1973 to Mansoura University 1973.

It offers outstanding medical services and an array of important topics. One of Africa’s biggest renal and urology centers is in this area. The university is among the top research-oriented institutions in Africa committed to advancing the world. Master’s degrees, diplomas, and bachelor’s doctorate degrees are just a few of the degrees and fields of study available.

University of Nairobi

The University of Nairobi is one of the best universities in Africa and is ranked as the top university in Kenya. It was founded in 1956 and has grown to become a leading institution of higher learning on the continent. Nairobi university offers a wide range of courses and programs, making it a great choice for African students.

Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is the top university in Ghana and one of the best universities in Africa. It was founded in 1951 and has become a leading institution of higher learning on the continent. 

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and its research facilities are among the best in Africa. This university has been ranked highly in recent years for its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Makerere University

In Uganda, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. The university has produced some of the best students in the country who have gone on to excel in various fields. 

This university offers various courses and programs that cater to the needs of its diverse student body. In recent years, this university has invested heavily in research and ranked among the top 20 universities in Africa.

University of Ghana

The University of Ghana is among the best universities in Africa and one of the top 20 universities in Africa for 2022. It has a long history and positive ratings of serving students efficiently since 1948, founded as the University College of the Gold Coast. 

Today, the University of Ghana is a leading research institution with a strong focus on producing world-class graduates. The school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and its faculty are among the best on the continent.

best universities in Africa: North-West University

Northwest University is placed 510th among the top universities around the world. According to the public information available, Northwest University was established in 2004 as the result of a merger of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the University of Bophuthatswana.

The school is also renowned for its innovative teaching techniques and commitment to achieving academic excellence. It excels in the fields of management and economics, governance and business, industrial psychology, and tourism.

best universities in Africa: Wrapping up

The process of choosing the best universities in Africa is not an easy one. There are many factors to consider, such as location, cost of living, and quality of education. However, we have compiled a list of top 20 best universities in africa 2025 so that you can make an informed decision about your future.