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 | 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 |