15 Best Universities In Africa 2022

Africa is a vital region with some of the fastest-growing economies globally and endowed with rich mineral resources. Also, the continent is home to some of the best universities in the world. Most of the best universities in Africa are found in South Africa and Egypt. These universities stand tall in academic excellence. 

In our ranking of the best universities in Africa, we compared multiple reports from USNews, and TimesHigerEducation. Also, the approach used by these reports was based on the universities’ research performance, ratings by members of the academic community in the region, and if they are licensed and accredited by the appropriate higher education-related organization in each country. Without further ado, here are the top 15 best universities in Africa for 2022.

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#15: Makerere University 

Makerere University, Kampala is Uganda’s largest and oldest institution of higher learning. It was established as a technical school in 1923 and became an independent national university in 1970.

Furthermore, Makerere University consists of 10 faculties which are Agricultural and Environmental science, Business and management science, college of computing and information science, Law, Education, External Studies, Health Sciences, Veterinary and Medicine, Humanities and Social science.

Also, Makerere University is the first Uganda University to be ranked as one of the best universities in Africa.

#14: Alexandria University, Egypt

Alexandria University (Photo Credit: Ria Overseas)

Alexandria University is a public university founded in 1938 and the largest in Egypt with over 153 000 students. Also, it comprises 30 academic faculties, including Law, Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, and Sciences.

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Alexandria University is accredited officially by Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education (MHE). It’s affiliated with the Association of Arab Universities (AArU).

#13: Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University was established in 1950 and is situated in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. However, it is officially recognized by Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education(MHE), the Federation of the University of the Islamic World(FUIW), and the Association of African Universities( AAU).

Ain Shams University offers courses and programs leading to higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. The university comprises 15 faculties: Faculty of Agriculture, Art, Commerce, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Law, Languages, Women education, Dentistry, Sciences Computer and information science, and specific education.

#12: University of Western Cape (UWC)

The University of Western Cape is a public research University in Bellville, a suburb of the City of Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1960 as a University for people of color only. It is a dynamic institution committed to excellence in learning, teaching, research, and innovation, thus making it one of the best universities in Africa.

 The University of Western Cape comprises seven faculties: Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Community and Health Sciences, Dentistry, Economic and management science, Law, Natural Science, and Education.

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#11: Addis Ababa University (AAU) 

Addis Ababa University, formerly called University College of Addis Ababa, is a highly residential national University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is a State University.

The university has 13 campuses. Twelve of which are located in Addis Ababa, and one is located in Bishoftu. AAU has several associated research institutions, including the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. AAU is fully accredited by the Association of Africa University (AAU), African Virtual University (AVU), and Agency Universitarie de la Francophonie(AUF).

#10: Northwest University (NWU)

Northwest University is committed to functioning as a unitary, integrated, multi-campus University that enables equity and globally competitive teaching and research making it one of the BEST UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA.

Northwest University comprises the Potchefstroom campus, Mahukeng Campus, and Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Northwest University consists of 8 faculties, including Education, Economics, and Management, Sciences, Engineering, Health Science, Law, Theology, Natural and Agricultural Science. 

#9: Mansoura University

Mansoura University is located on the East bank of the Nile and Northwest of Cairo, Egypt. However, it was founded in 1972. 

The main campus is situated in the heart of Mansoura city, and also it has three off campuses. It consists of 18 faculties, namely Faculty of Medicine, Education, Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Agricultural Science, Arts, Veterinary, Fine art, Computer, and information, Nursing, Physical Education, Hotel and tourism, Kindergarten and special education.

Mansoura University is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education(MHE) and the Federation of the University of the Islamic World (FUIW).

#8: University of Pretoria (UP)

The University of Pretoria was established in 1908, and it’s one of the largest research universities in South Africa. UP is recognized for its high quality of teaching and learning and for producing socially impactful research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. 

The University of Pretoria is a seven-campus public university with its largest campus in the heart of Hatfield, the picturesque diplomatic hub of South Africa’s Capital City.

The University of Pretoria consists of nine (9) faculties, including South Africa’s only faculty of Veterinary Science, Engineering, Health Science, Theology and Religion, Natural and Agricultural Science, Engineering and Information Technology, and the top African faculty of Law and Business school. Faculties are well equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities, Laboratories, and Academic libraries.

#7: University of Ibadan (UI)

The University of Ibadan was established in 1948, and it is the first university in Nigeria. Also, it is the oldest degree-awarding institution in Nigeria, and it is fondly called UI. It is located in Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria. 

UI has contributed to Nigeria’s political, industrial, economic, and cultural development through its graduate network. Notable and reputable alumni are Chinua Achebe (the great Novelist) and Wole Soyinka (the playwright). UI also ranks as one of the best universities in Africa.

The university comprises 16 faculties, namely Arts, Science, Basic Medical, Education,  Veterinary, Health Sciences, Dentistry, Economic, Clinical Science, Public Health, Agricultural Sciences, Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Renewable Natural Resources, and Environment Design. UI is accredited by Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC), COREN, NMA, and NBA.

#6: University of Johannesburg (UJ)

The University of Johannesburg is one of the largest universities in South Africa among the 26 public universities. UJ offers internationally recognized academic programs based on curricula informed by cutting-edge developments in both undergraduate and postgraduate education.

It consists of seven (7) faculties: Education, Art, Design and Architecture, Health Sciences,  Engineering, Business and economics, and Law. UJ is accredited by DHE, the Association of African Universities (AAU), and the universities of South Africa (USA).

The university has four campuses: Auckland Park Kingsway campus, the Doornfontein campus, the Soweto campus, and the Bunting road campus.

#5: Cairo University

Cairo University was founded in 1908. However, it is a premier public university and the first Egyptian university to be recognized as one of the best universities in Africa. Again, it is the second oldest higher education university in Egypt after Al Azhar University. Its main campus is located in Giza.

The university consists of 20 faculties, including medicine, Engineering, and Law.

#4: University of Kwazulu- natal (UKZU)

The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a public school situated in Durban Westville, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu- natal South Africa. The university was established on January 1, 2004, due to the University of Durban Westville and Natal merger.

The university has five campuses: the Westville campus ( main campus), Nelson .R. Mandela School of Medicine, Howard college campus, Edgewood campus, and the Pietermaritzburg campus.

The university has a strong reputation in Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. KwaZulu-Natal is recognized by DHE and institutionally accredited by DHET of South Africa.

#3: University of Stellenbosch (SU)

The University of Stellenbosch is also among the best universities in Africa based on research output, rated scientists, students’ pass rate, and recognition internationally as an academic institution of excellence.

The University of Stellenbosch is fully accredited by DHE, DHET South Africa, and a member of the Association of Africa Universities (AAU), and Universities of South Africa (USA).

It consists of ten (10) faculties: Agricultural Science, Law, Medicine and health science, Engineering, Arts and social sciences, Theology, Education, Economic and Management science, and Military science, which is one of its kind in South Africa. Courses are taught in both Afrikaans and English.

#2: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

The University of Witwatersrand is remarkable and internationally distinguished for its excellent research. The University of Witwatersrand is a public school situated in Johannesburg, the heart of the economic hub of the African continent.

Furthermore, the University of Witwatersrand is home to these four Nobel Prize winners: Nelson Mandela (peace), Sydney Brenner (medicine), Aaron Klug (Chemistry), and Nadine Gordimer (Literature). 

This prestigious university is institutionally accredited by the DHET South Africa and professionally accredited by the Association of MBAs, Engineering Council of South Africa, Royal Institute of British Architecture, and South Africa Council for Architecture Profession.

#1: University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa’s oldest university, and it is one of Africa’s leading teaching and research institutions. The University of Cape Town was founded in 1829 as the South African College, A high school for boys. The University of Cape Town was established as a university in 1918 based on the Alfred Beit bequest. UCT earned the nickname “Moscos on the Hill” from 1960 to 1990 for its sustained opposition to apartheid.

It is home to more than a third of South Africa’s rated researchers’ academics who are considered world leaders in their field. Thus, making her the top of the best universities in Africa.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Africa boasts of some of the best universities. Aside from reading about Africa’s history in textbooks, students in these universities are also opportune to make historical moments for themselves. These universities have developed their educational system to be recognized as the 15 best universities in Africa in 2022.