Times Higher Education Unveils Top Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa for 2023

Times Higher Education, the leading provider of data on university excellence worldwide, has recently unveiled its latest report ranking the top universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This new ranking aims to showcase the region’s higher education institutions while addressing local concerns in the field.

The highly anticipated 2023 rankings were officially announced during the organization’s inaugural meeting in Sub-Saharan Africa, held in collaboration with Ashesi University in June 2023. According to the survey, the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa claims the top spot in this year’s rankings. Following closely behind are the University of Johannesburg in second place and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania in third place.

While South Africa boasts the most universities in the top ten, with four institutions making the cut, Nigeria takes the lead with the highest number of institutions in the top 37. Covenant University, located in Nigeria, secures an impressive seventh position.

The rankings encompass a total of 88 institutions from 20 different countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Kenya, and Mozambique. To develop this assessment, an innovative methodology was employed, incorporating aspects of teaching quality, research influence, and overall impact. The evaluation framework is built upon five key pillars: resources and funding, access and equity, teaching capabilities, student engagement, and the institution’s contribution to Africa.

A crucial component of data collection involved surveying over 20,000 students from the 88 participating colleges. These students were asked various questions, such as their perception of the university’s teaching quality, the extent to which critical thinking was encouraged, and the opportunities available for interaction with faculty and peers.

For those interested in exploring the full list of rankings, here are the top 100 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa according to Times Higher Education’s 2023 report.

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 South Africa EXPLORE	81.9	86.1	71.8	77.9	87.6	86.3	27,765
2	University of Johannesburg South Africa EXPLORE	79.6	81.1	80.4	68.4	89.2	78.9	31,724
3	Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Tanzania	79.2	89.8	56.6	71.8	86.0	91.8	4,157
4	University of Pretoria South Africa EXPLORE	78.7	85.3	65.9	73.6	88.6	80.0	41,583
5	Makerere University Uganda	72.1	84.0	48.3	58.0	76.5	93.7	33,788
6	University of the Western Cape South Africa	71.1	83.6	79.1	56.4	84.7	51.7	19,083
7	Covenant University Nigeria EXPLORE	70.0	76.3	42.6-44.7	71.6	76.6	82.0	8,362
8	UGHE – University of Global Health Equity Rwanda	68.3	67.8	54.9	68.4	57.1-59.3	92.2	89
9	Ashesi University Ghana EXPLORE	67.9	87.1	60.6	78.5	63.8	49.4	1,095
10	Ardhi University Tanzania	67.1	66.9	51.3	81.6	70.9	64.7	4,919
11	University of Venda South Africa	66.7	66.9	72.6	50.9-53.7	79.0	63.8	11,848
12	University of South Africa South Africa	66.2	55.2	82.4	38.1-47.8	80.9	64.6	233,897
13	Durban University of Technology South Africa	66.1	74.7	62.7	64.0	73.8	55.1	25,341
14	University of Zambia Zambia	66.0	83.6	39.7-42.4	50.9-53.7	66.5	88.6	13,192
15	Academic City University College Ghana	64.1	63.8	52.3	71.8	77.5	54.9	220
16	University of Embu Kenya	64.0	59.6	52.2	70.2	73.5	64.6	8,241
17	University of Ghana Ghana	63.9	48.4-53.1	47.9	48.0-50.8	84.4	85.1	59,741
18	University of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe	62.9	69.4	61.0	48.0-50.8	52.2-56.5	77.1	21,137
19	University of Mauritius 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) Botswana	61.6	64.6	3.0-30.9	73.7	67.4	78.9	2,006
=21	University of Botswana 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 Tanzania	61.2	76.2	42.6-44.7	61.2	78.0	47.0	39,522
23	University of Sierra Leone 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) Zimbabwe	60.5	61.8	42.6-44.7	71.5	52.2-56.5	70.3	10,258
25	Rongo University Kenya	60.1	48.4-53.1	31.6-39.3	84.2	72.2	54.7	7,376
26	Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria	60.0	66.7	42.6-44.7	79.0	57.1-59.3	51.9	17,038
27	Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Mozambique	59.9	61.8	42.6-44.7	38.1-47.8	81.0	74.5	44,590
28	Accra Technical University Ghana	58.6	48.4-53.1	48.1	76.8	71.1	44.6	14,825
29	Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Malawi	58.5	54.9	64.4	59.3	63.8	50.1	2,356
30	Benson Idahosa University Nigeria	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 Ghana	57.6	57.5	42.6-44.7	83.7	80.6	0.0-30.3	26,300
=31	Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nigeria	57.6	48.4-53.1	54.9	72.6	52.2-56.5	54.2	29,253
33	Jimma University Ethiopia	57.3	62.8	47.9	63.2	62.9	49.5	39,240
34	Metropolitan International University Uganda	55.7	61.9	50.8	74.0	82.1	0.0-30.3	5,109
35	Redeemer’s University Nigeria	54.6	53.5	31.6-39.3	50.9-53.7	82.7	45.0	3,375
36	University of Ibadan Nigeria	54.5	36.0-43.3	31.6-39.3	57.8	77.4	63.3	41,616
37	Cross River University of Technology Nigeria	54.2	67.3	3.0-30.9	85.3	77.4	0.0-30.3	18,882
38	Abrar University Somalia	53.0	74.8	31.6-39.3	68.5	36.6-52.0	36.5-40.2	495
=39	Kibabii University Kenya	52.7	63.8	52.2	38.1-47.8	64.0	30.8-36.4	7,500
=39	Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria	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 South Africa	52.4	72.3	47.3	50.9-53.7	36.6-52.0	36.5-40.2	16,841
42	Kabarak University Kenya	52.3	56.2	55.2	57.3	66.8	0.0-30.3	8,592
43	Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Nigeria	51.6	56.3	3.0-30.9	80.7	64.0	30.8-36.4	11,988
44	University for Development Studies Ghana	51.4	9.3-35.2	46.4	73.5	52.2-56.5	57.4	20,398
45	Adeleke University Nigeria	50.9	57.7	39.7-42.4	57.8	64.5	30.8-36.4	3,589
46	Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria	50.8	64.6	3.0-30.9	71.2	57.1-59.3	40.6-44.0	55,217
47	University of Benin Nigeria	50.5	36.0-43.3	62.3	38.1-47.8	62.1	36.5-40.2	40,723
48	Kabale University Uganda	50.3	56.5	31.6-39.3	55.5	61.6	44.8	3,851
49	Landmark University Nigeria	49.5	43.6-47.3	31.6-39.3	59.1	36.6-52.0	59.1	3,429
50	Babcock University Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Zimbabwe	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Uganda	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 Kenya	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Uganda	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 Somalia	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Kenya	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 Nigeria	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 Somalia	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 South Africa	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 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 Nigeria	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 Rwanda	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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) Somalia	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 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 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 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 Somalia	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 Kenya	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Nigeria	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 Ethiopia	–	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 South Africa EXPLORE	–	56.0	53.8	38.1-47.8	36.6-52.0	81.1	33,038
–	Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil Nigeria	–	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 Zimbabwe	–	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 Nigeria	–	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 Nigeria	–	9.3-35.2	31.6-39.3	38.1-47.8	0.0-36.0	36.5-40.2	9,342
–	Kings University Nigeria	–	43.6-47.3	31.6-39.3	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	254
–	Madda Walabu University Ethiopia	–	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 Nigeria	–	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 Niger	–	36.0-43.3	47.6	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	413
–	Debre Tabor University Ethiopia	–	36.0-43.3	52.8	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	30.8-36.4	10,840
–	Godfrey Okoye University Nigeria	–	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 Nigeria	–	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 Ethiopia	–	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 Zimbabwe	–	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 Nigeria	–	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 Senegal	–	9.3-35.2	3.0-30.9	0.0-36.9	36.6-52.0	69.2	468
–	University of Gondar Ethiopia	–	43.6-47.3	58.9	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	49.0	36,405
–	Ethiopian Civil Service University Ethiopia	–	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 Uganda	–	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 South Africa	–	55.6	52.4	0.0-36.9	36.6-52.0	62.3	42,641
–	Mewar International University Nigeria	–	61.9	59.8	50.9-53.7	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	714
–	Adekunle Ajasin University Nigeria	–	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 South Africa	–	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 Nigeria	–	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 Ghana	–	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 Ghana	–	59.8	52.8	38.1-47.8	36.6-52.0	87.1	85,349
–	Universidade Rainha Njinga a Mbande (URNM) Angola	–	9.3-35.2	54.6	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	2,823
–	Nile University of Nigeria 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 Nigeria	–	9.3-35.2	45.7	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	1,200
–	Plateau State University, Bokkos Nigeria	–	9.3-35.2	55.1	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	0.0-30.3	6,209
–	University of Limpopo South Africa	–	53.7	56.7	0.0-36.9	0.0-36.0	44.1	17,714