A total of 69 universities from 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa feature in the rankings
The University of Cape Town was again recognised as SA’s top university by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
According to THE, South Africa remains the region’s higher education leader. Its top-ranked institution is again the University of Cape Town, which has rejoined the global top 150 for the first time since the 2020 edition in joint 147th position.
South Africa has five universities in the world top 500. Its second highest ranked university is the University of the Witwatersrand in band 301-325.
The next highest ranking countries in sub-Saharan Africa are Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana, which join South Africa among the top 1,000 universities globally.
Nigeria’s joint leading university, Covenant University, has climbed back into the top 1,000 in band 801-1,000.
A total of 69 universities from 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa feature in the rankings. This is an improvement over last year’s exercise, which featured 55 universities from 14 countries.
With 29 institutions in the rankings, Nigeria is the best represented country in the region. It has three institutions in the top 1,000: the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos are also in the 801-1,000 band.
Ethiopia reappears in the rankings thanks to Mekelle University, which is in the 1,201-1,400 band.
Malawi makes its rankings debut with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in the 1,201-1,400 band.
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, said: “Make no mistake: Africa is a growing force in the geopolitics of knowledge, and its universities are earning a growing presence on the world stage.
“The Times Higher Education World University Rankings measure what matters most to sector leaders, strategists and policymakers: research excellence and impact; the teaching environment; global academic standing; links with industry beyond the ivory towers; and international talent attraction, reach and influence. And they have a high entry threshold. Across the rankings, Africa is dramatically increasing its representation and is also displaying genuine global strength and standing.
“Africa south of the Sahara not only has a university back in the world top 150, it has more institutions represented on the global stage in the elite university rankings than ever before (69, up from 55), from more nations (16) than ever.”
Top 10 universities in sub-Saharan Africa in the World University Rankings 2027
| Institution | Country/territory | Rank 2027 | Rank 2026 |
| University of Cape Town | South Africa | =147 | =164 |
| University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa | 301-325 | 301-350 |
| Stellenbosch University | South Africa | 326-350 | 301-350 |
| University of Johannesburg | South Africa | 351-375 | 351-400 |
| University of Pretoria | South Africa | 451-500 | 501-600 |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa | 501-550 | 501-600 |
| University of the Western Cape | South Africa | 701-800 | 601-800 |
| Covenant University | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 1,001-1,200 |
| Makerere University | Uganda | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| North-West University | South Africa | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Cape Coast | Ghana | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Ghana | Ghana | 801-1,000 | 1,001-1,200 |
| University of Ibadan | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Lagos | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
