Times Higher Education, the data provider underpinning university excellence in every continent, has released a new report ranking the top universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new ranking seeks to highlight African higher education institutions while also addressing local higher education concerns.
The 2023 rankings were formally released at the organization’s inaugural meeting in the region, which took place in June 2023 in collaboration with Ashesi University. The ranking is headed by South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, according to the survey. The University of Johannesburg and Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences finished second and third, respectively.
Despite the fact that South Africa has the most universities in the top ten (four), Nigeria has the most institutions in the top 37, led by Covenant University in the seventh position.
The ranking includes 88 institutions from 20 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Kenya and Mozambique.
The assessment was developed using an innovative method that included components of teaching, influence, and research. The technique is built on five pillars: resources and funding, access and equity, teaching skills, student involvement, and Africa effect.
A survey of over 20,000 students from 88 colleges was a critical component of data collecting. Students were given a variety of questions, including how challenged they felt by the university’s teaching, how much it encouraged critical thinking, and how many opportunities they had to connect with faculty and classmates.
Here are the top 100 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa according to Times Higher Education 2023 ranking
| Rank | Name Country/Region |
Overall
|
Resources and Finance
|
Access and fairness
|
Teaching skills
|
Student engagement
|
Africa Impact
|
Number of students
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the Witwatersrand | 81.9 | 86.1 | 71.8 | 77.9 | 87.6 | 86.3 | 27,765 |
| 2 | University of Johannesburg | 79.6 | 81.1 | 80.4 | 68.4 | 89.2 | 78.9 | 31,724 |
| 3 | Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences | 79.2 | 89.8 | 56.6 | 71.8 | 86.0 | 91.8 | 4,157 |
| 4 | University of Pretoria | 78.7 | 85.3 | 65.9 | 73.6 | 88.6 | 80.0 | 41,583 |
| 5 | Makerere University | 72.1 | 84.0 | 48.3 | 58.0 | 76.5 | 93.7 | 33,788 |
| 6 | University of the Western Cape | 71.1 | 83.6 | 79.1 | 56.4 | 84.7 | 51.7 | 19,083 |
| 7 | Covenant University | 70.0 | 76.3 | 42.6-44.7 | 71.6 | 76.6 | 82.0 | 8,362 |
| 8 | UGHE – University of Global Health Equity | 68.3 | 67.8 | 54.9 | 68.4 | 57.1-59.3 | 92.2 | 89 |
| 9 | Ashesi University | 67.9 | 87.1 | 60.6 | 78.5 | 63.8 | 49.4 | 1,095 |
| 10 | Ardhi University | 67.1 | 66.9 | 51.3 | 81.6 | 70.9 | 64.7 | 4,919 |
| 11 | University of Venda | 66.7 | 66.9 | 72.6 | 50.9-53.7 | 79.0 | 63.8 | 11,848 |
| 12 | University of South Africa | 66.2 | 55.2 | 82.4 | 38.1-47.8 | 80.9 | 64.6 | 233,897 |
| 13 | Durban University of Technology | 66.1 | 74.7 | 62.7 | 64.0 | 73.8 | 55.1 | 25,341 |
| 14 | University of Zambia | 66.0 | 83.6 | 39.7-42.4 | 50.9-53.7 | 66.5 | 88.6 | 13,192 |
| 15 | Academic City University College | 64.1 | 63.8 | 52.3 | 71.8 | 77.5 | 54.9 | 220 |
| 16 | University of Embu | 64.0 | 59.6 | 52.2 | 70.2 | 73.5 | 64.6 | 8,241 |
| 17 | University of Ghana | 63.9 | 48.4-53.1 | 47.9 | 48.0-50.8 | 84.4 | 85.1 | 59,741 |
| 18 | University of Zimbabwe | 62.9 | 69.4 | 61.0 | 48.0-50.8 | 52.2-56.5 | 77.1 | 21,137 |
| 19 | University of Mauritius | 62.3 | 61.4 | 62.7 | 38.1-47.8 | 85.4 | 58.3 | 8,727 |
| 20 | Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) | 61.6 | 64.6 | 3.0-30.9 | 73.7 | 67.4 | 78.9 | 2,006 |
| =21 | University of Botswana | 61.2 | 62.8 | 42.6-44.7 | 0.0-36.9 | 72.4 | 89.3 | 15,377 |
| =21 | University of Dar es Salaam | 61.2 | 76.2 | 42.6-44.7 | 61.2 | 78.0 | 47.0 | 39,522 |
| 23 | University of Sierra Leone | 60.6 | 68.4 | 60.6 | 63.8 | 57.1-59.3 | 51.8 | 22,952 |
| 24 | National University of Science and Technology (NUST) | 60.5 | 61.8 | 42.6-44.7 | 71.5 | 52.2-56.5 | 70.3 | 10,258 |
| 25 | Rongo University | 60.1 | 48.4-53.1 | 31.6-39.3 | 84.2 | 72.2 | 54.7 | 7,376 |
| 26 | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | 60.0 | 66.7 | 42.6-44.7 | 79.0 | 57.1-59.3 | 51.9 | 17,038 |
| 27 | Universidade Eduardo Mondlane | 59.9 | 61.8 | 42.6-44.7 | 38.1-47.8 | 81.0 | 74.5 | 44,590 |
| 28 | Accra Technical University | 58.6 | 48.4-53.1 | 48.1 | 76.8 | 71.1 | 44.6 | 14,825 |
| 29 | Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) | 58.5 | 54.9 | 64.4 | 59.3 | 63.8 | 50.1 | 2,356 |
| 30 | Benson Idahosa University | 57.8 | 67.5 | 39.7-42.4 | 84.9 | 70.2 | 0.0-30.3 | 5,041 |
| =31 | Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development | 57.6 | 57.5 | 42.6-44.7 | 83.7 | 80.6 | 0.0-30.3 | 26,300 |
| =31 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | 57.6 | 48.4-53.1 | 54.9 | 72.6 | 52.2-56.5 | 54.2 | 29,253 |
| 33 | Jimma University | 57.3 | 62.8 | 47.9 | 63.2 | 62.9 | 49.5 | 39,240 |
| 34 | Metropolitan International University | 55.7 | 61.9 | 50.8 | 74.0 | 82.1 | 0.0-30.3 | 5,109 |
| 35 | Redeemer’s University | 54.6 | 53.5 | 31.6-39.3 | 50.9-53.7 | 82.7 | 45.0 | 3,375 |
| 36 | University of Ibadan | 54.5 | 36.0-43.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 57.8 | 77.4 | 63.3 | 41,616 |
| 37 | Cross River University of Technology | 54.2 | 67.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 85.3 | 77.4 | 0.0-30.3 | 18,882 |
| 38 | Abrar University | 53.0 | 74.8 | 31.6-39.3 | 68.5 | 36.6-52.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 495 |
| =39 | Kibabii University | 52.7 | 63.8 | 52.2 | 38.1-47.8 | 64.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 7,500 |
| =39 | Obafemi Awolowo University | 52.7 | 55.6 | 3.0-30.9 | 50.9-53.7 | 71.0 | 59.5 | 31,440 |
| 41 | Central University of Technology, Free State | 52.4 | 72.3 | 47.3 | 50.9-53.7 | 36.6-52.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 16,841 |
| 42 | Kabarak University | 52.3 | 56.2 | 55.2 | 57.3 | 66.8 | 0.0-30.3 | 8,592 |
| 43 | Umaru Musa Yar’adua University | 51.6 | 56.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 80.7 | 64.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 11,988 |
| 44 | University for Development Studies | 51.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 46.4 | 73.5 | 52.2-56.5 | 57.4 | 20,398 |
| 45 | Adeleke University | 50.9 | 57.7 | 39.7-42.4 | 57.8 | 64.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 3,589 |
| 46 | Ahmadu Bello University | 50.8 | 64.6 | 3.0-30.9 | 71.2 | 57.1-59.3 | 40.6-44.0 | 55,217 |
| 47 | University of Benin | 50.5 | 36.0-43.3 | 62.3 | 38.1-47.8 | 62.1 | 36.5-40.2 | 40,723 |
| 48 | Kabale University | 50.3 | 56.5 | 31.6-39.3 | 55.5 | 61.6 | 44.8 | 3,851 |
| 49 | Landmark University | 49.5 | 43.6-47.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 59.1 | 36.6-52.0 | 59.1 | 3,429 |
| 50 | Babcock University | 49.3 | 43.6-47.3 | 57.4 | 38.1-47.8 | 60.0 | 40.6-44.0 | 9,543 |
| 51-60 | Ajayi Crowther University | 46.0-48.7 | 9.3-35.2 | 42.6-44.7 | 48.0-50.8 | 70.5 | 40.6-44.0 | 5,484 |
| 51-60 | Bells University of Technology | 46.0-48.7 | 58.0 | 3.0-30.9 | 57.2 | 57.1-59.3 | 40.6-44.0 | 2,061 |
| 51-60 | Chinhoyi University of Technology | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 38.1-47.8 | 76.0 | 54.3 | 11,413 |
| 51-60 | Federal University of Kashere | 46.0-48.7 | 43.6-47.3 | 39.7-42.4 | 58.8 | 57.1-59.3 | 0.0-30.3 | 10,121 |
| 51-60 | Federal University Lokoja | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 39.7-42.4 | 48.0-50.8 | 79.7 | 30.8-36.4 | 8,984 |
| 51-60 | Gombe State University | 46.0-48.7 | 43.6-47.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 68.2 | 36.6-52.0 | 46.2 | 17,274 |
| 51-60 | ISBAT University | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 47.5 | 79.0 | 52.2-56.5 | 0.0-30.3 | 1,547 |
| 51-60 | University of Kabianga | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 53.5 | 60.2 | 36.6-52.0 | 40.6-44.0 | 7,100 |
| 51-60 | Lagos State University | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 52.0 | 48.0-50.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 47.9 | 24,461 |
| 51-60 | University of Port Harcourt | 46.0-48.7 | 36.0-43.3 | 65.9 | 38.1-47.8 | 57.1-59.3 | 40.6-44.0 | 33,501 |
| 61-70 | Baze University | 42.6-45.8 | 48.4-53.1 | 3.0-30.9 | 50.9-53.7 | 52.2-56.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 3,977 |
| 61-70 | Cavendish University | 42.6-45.8 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 67.9 | 66.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 3,808 |
| 61-70 | City University of Mogadishu | 42.6-45.8 | 48.4-53.1 | 42.6-44.7 | 53.9 | 36.6-52.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 992 |
| 61-70 | Delta State University, Abraka | 42.6-45.8 | 48.4-53.1 | 3.0-30.9 | 53.8 | 62.6 | 0.0-30.3 | 24,189 |
| 61-70 | Elizade University | 42.6-45.8 | 43.6-47.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 60.6 | 52.2-56.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 1,458 |
| 61-70 | Maasai Mara University | 42.6-45.8 | 9.3-35.2 | 39.7-42.4 | 38.1-47.8 | 64.5 | 40.6-44.0 | 14,999 |
| 61-70 | Niger Delta University | 42.6-45.8 | 9.3-35.2 | 52.5 | 48.0-50.8 | 57.1-59.3 | 0.0-30.3 | 22,721 |
| 61-70 | SIMAD University | 42.6-45.8 | 56.2 | 46.6 | 38.1-47.8 | 64.1 | 0.0-30.3 | 3,358 |
| 61-70 | Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University | 42.6-45.8 | 36.0-43.3 | 45.9 | 38.1-47.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 50.0 | 5,478 |
| 61-70 | University of Technology, Mauritius | 42.6-45.8 | 48.4-53.1 | 31.6-39.3 | 57.3 | 57.1-59.3 | 0.0-30.3 | 2,699 |
| 71+ | Abia State University | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 38.1-47.8 | 81.1 | 0.0-30.3 | 21,502 |
| 71+ | Adventist University of Central Africa | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 39.7-42.4 | 50.9-53.7 | 52.2-56.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 2,855 |
| 71+ | Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 38.1-47.8 | 62.5 | 40.6-44.0 | 13,031 |
| 71+ | Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ikiti | 23.3-42.4 | 53.7 | 39.7-42.4 | 38.1-47.8 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 5,424 |
| 71+ | Bauchi State University, Gadau | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 36.6-52.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 19,842 |
| 71+ | Bayero University | 23.3-42.4 | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 50.9-53.7 | 0.0-36.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 43,912 |
| 71+ | Edo State University Uzairue | 23.3-42.4 | 43.6-47.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 38.1-47.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 2,766 |
| 71+ | Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology (JUST) | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 39.7-42.4 | 50.9-53.7 | 64.9 | 0.0-30.3 | 4,574 |
| 71+ | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 48.0-50.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 44.7 | 25,953 |
| 71+ | Lead City University | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 62.4 | 36.6-52.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 8,729 |
| 71+ | National Open University of Nigeria | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 42.6-44.7 | 38.1-47.8 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 128,864 |
| 71+ | National University, Sudan | 23.3-42.4 | 36.0-43.3 | 39.7-42.4 | 48.0-50.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 5,640 |
| 71+ | Presbyterian University, Ghana | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 55.2 | 74.4 | 0.0-30.3 | 2,845 |
| 71+ | Red Sea University | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 57.1-59.3 | 0.0-30.3 | 2,646 |
| 71+ | Riara University | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 38.1-47.8 | 52.2-56.5 | 36.5-40.2 | 1,221 |
| 71+ | Samuel Adegboyega University | 23.3-42.4 | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 60.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 388 |
| 71+ | Veritas University, Abuja | 23.3-42.4 | 48.4-53.1 | 3.0-30.9 | 48.0-50.8 | 52.2-56.5 | 30.8-36.4 | 3,867 |
| 71+ | Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano | 23.3-42.4 | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 54.4 | 36.6-52.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 12,836 |
| – | Arba Minch University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 14,738 |
| – | University of KwaZulu-Natal | – | 56.0 | 53.8 | 38.1-47.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 81.1 | 33,038 |
| – | Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil | – | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 3,087 |
| – | Gwanda State University | – | 48.4-53.1 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 422 |
| – | Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 17,891 |
| – | Akwa Ibom State University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 38.1-47.8 | 0.0-36.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 9,342 |
| – | Kings University | – | 43.6-47.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 254 |
| – | Madda Walabu University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 40.6-44.0 | 23,693 |
| – | University of Nigeria Nsukka | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 35,013 |
| – | African Development University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 47.6 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 413 |
| – | Debre Tabor University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 52.8 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 10,840 |
| – | Godfrey Okoye University | – | 43.6-47.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 2,064 |
| – | University of Ilorin | – | 43.6-47.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 71.1 | 40,901 |
| – | Addis Ababa Science and Technology University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 8,643 |
| – | Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 36.5-40.2 | 2,184 |
| – | Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto | – | 36.0-43.3 | 50.5 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 22,585 |
| – | Inter-State School of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 36.6-52.0 | 69.2 | 468 |
| – | University of Gondar | – | 43.6-47.3 | 58.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 49.0 | 36,405 |
| – | Ethiopian Civil Service University | – | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 40.6-44.0 | 6,477 |
| – | Uganda Pentecostal University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 700 |
| – | Tshwane University of Technology | – | 55.6 | 52.4 | 0.0-36.9 | 36.6-52.0 | 62.3 | 42,641 |
| – | Mewar International University | – | 61.9 | 59.8 | 50.9-53.7 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 714 |
| – | Adekunle Ajasin University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 31.6-39.3 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 15,941 |
| – | Open Christian University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 400 |
| – | Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike | – | 9.3-35.2 | 3.0-30.9 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 18,123 |
| – | BlueCrest University College | – | 9.3-35.2 | 51.1 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 502 |
| – | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology | – | 59.8 | 52.8 | 38.1-47.8 | 36.6-52.0 | 87.1 | 85,349 |
| – | Universidade Rainha Njinga a Mbande (URNM) | – | 9.3-35.2 | 54.6 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 2,823 |
| – | Nile University of Nigeria | – | 36.0-43.3 | 3.0-30.9 | 48.0-50.8 | 0.0-36.0 | 30.8-36.4 | 4,748 |
| – | Fountain University | – | 9.3-35.2 | 45.7 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 1,200 |
| – | Plateau State University, Bokkos | – | 9.3-35.2 | 55.1 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 0.0-30.3 | 6,209 |
| – | University of Limpopo | – | 53.7 | 56.7 | 0.0-36.9 | 0.0-36.0 | 44.1 | 17,714 |
