5 African countries lead with highest number of universities in world’s top 1000

Five African countries have led with the highest number of universities in the latest ranking of the world’s top 1000.

According to data compiled by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), 2022-23 Edition, only five African countries have universities among the top 1000 in the world. While this number may seem small in comparison to other regions, it’s a notable improvement from the past. Moreover, it’s exciting to note that some African countries have significantly contributed to this growth.

African countries are gradually making progress in the global education arena. This achievement is significant because it points towards the potential of African education and its increasing impact on the global stage.

A closer look

Egypt, in a recent analysis shared by World of Statistics, leads among the African countries that made it to the list with thirteen (13) of its universities featuring in the world’s top 1000. The American University in Cairo, Cairo University and Alexandria University are some of the universities that contributed to Egypt’s success in the global education arena.

South Africa comes in second place with nine (9) universities in the ranking of the world’s top 1000. South Africa’s achievement is worth noting, considering that it’s the only African country that made it to the top 500, with four of its universities sitting comfortably on the list. The University of Cape Town, University of Witwatersrand, and Stellenbosch University are some of the top-performing universities in South Africa. Their achievements in research, quality of education, and international collaborations have contributed significantly to their global ranking.

Ghana has four universities in the ranking with its top performing universities being University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. 

Morocco and Tunisia each have one university featured in the world’s top 1000, namely, Mohammed V University and Tunis El Manar University respectively.

Key takeaways

The path to global education success and competitiveness has not been easy for many African universities. They face various challenges, including inadequate funding, limited access to resources and political instability, among others. Despite these obstacles, some African universities have continued to thrive, showcasing the resilience and potential of African education.

The achievements of these universities highlight the need for governments and stakeholders to invest more in education. Education is critical to a country’s growth and development and could play a significant role in driving Africa’s economic and social transformation.

The increasing number of African universities in the world’s top 1000 ranking is an exciting development that offers hope for the future of education in Africa. While there’s still a long way to go, the progress made so far demonstrates the potential of African education and its impact on the global stage.