The Times Higher Education (THE) has released its 2025 World University Rankings, featuring nearly 2,000 institutions from 108 countries and territories. In Africa, South Africa and Egypt dominated the top spots, with the University of Cape Town leading the continent.
In the top 13 African universities, seven are from South Africa, five from Egypt, and one from Morocco. The University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Witwatersrand took first, second, and third place respectively, making South Africa the most represented country in the rankings for Africa.
These universities were ranked based on their research performance, academic reputation, and global impact, reflecting their influence in the academic community both regionally and internationally.
Covenant University, Nigeria’s leading institution, was ranked in the 801-1000 bracket globally, marking a decline in its global standing. No Nigerian university managed to break into the top 800 in the 2025 rankings, highlighting the country’s struggle to compete at a world-class level in higher education.
Globally, the University of Oxford in the UK maintained its position as the top-ranked university for the ninth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) moved up to second place, overtaking Stanford University, which dropped to sixth.
Top 13 African Universities in the 2025 Rankings:
- University of Cape Town (South Africa)
- Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
- University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)
- Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco)
- University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (Egypt)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
- American University in Cairo (Egypt)
- Future University in Egypt (Egypt)
- Kafrelsheikh University (Egypt)
- Mansoura University (Egypt)
- University of Pretoria (South Africa)
- University of the Western Cape (South Africa)
