African universities continue to rise on the global stage. Many institutions are improving teaching, research, and global partnerships.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Africa Rankings 2026 reveal how far the continent has progressed. The rankings assess over 150 universities across Africa. They measure teaching quality, research strength, industry links, and international outlook.
Once again, South Africa dominates the top positions. However, North African universities are closing the gap, especially in Egypt and Morocco.
How African University Rankings Work
Times Higher Education uses a detailed, data-driven method. Simply put, the rankings show which universities truly deliver quality education.
Institutions earn scores based on:
- Teaching and learning environment
- Research strength and impact
- Collaboration with industry
- International outlook
According to Times Higher Education, students, academics, and policymakers widely use these rankings. They rely on them to judge where quality higher education exists in Africa.
UCT Leads While North Africa Gains Ground
The University of Cape Town remains Africa’s top-ranked university in 2026. UCT excels in research quality, industry income, and international reach.
South African universities dominate much of the top 10. Stellenbosch University, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of Johannesburg perform strongly. They score well in research output and industry engagement.
Meanwhile, Morocco and Egypt are catching up quickly. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University leads in Morocco. It stands out for research excellence and global collaboration.
Egypt also features heavily in the top 15. Ain Shams University, Cairo University, and Alexandria University show strong research depth and academic scale.
Zimbabwe Misses the Top Tier
Zimbabwe fails to place any university in Africa’s top 50. The University of Zimbabwe ranks at number 76 on the continent.
This ranking highlights ongoing challenges in research funding, global partnerships, and institutional capacity. While other African nations improve rapidly, Zimbabwean institutions struggle to keep pace.
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