The latest report from EduRank, a prominent authority in education sector analytics, has unveiled the top 10 universities in Africa for 2024. Surprisingly, Ghana and Nigeria didn’t make the top 10 list.
EduRank’s methodology encompasses research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence, drawing from an extensive analysis of 24.5 million citations across 1,104 universities in Africa.
Remarkably, South Africa dominates the top 10 with seven universities securing positions, followed by one each from Egypt, Uganda, and Kenya. The University of Cape Town leads the pack, tracing its origins back to 1829 as the South African College. Similarly, the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg stands out for its historical ties to mining and civic activism.
Stellenbosch University, established in 1918 alongside UCT, retains its prominence as one of the oldest institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, the University of Pretoria, renowned for its social impact research, represents the diversity of academic excellence in South Africa.
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Beyond South Africa, Cairo University shines as a beacon of medical education and research in Egypt. Makerere University in Uganda boasts a rich history dating back to 1922, serving as a pioneering institution in East and Central Africa.
Kenya’s University of Nairobi, founded in 1970, continues to uphold its reputation as a leading research institution. Lastly, the University of South Africa distinguishes itself as a pioneer in open-learning education, reflecting the evolving landscape of higher education across the continent.
Despite the absence of Ghanaian and Nigerian universities in the top tier, the rankings underscore the dynamic educational landscape in Africa, characterized by innovation, research, and academic excellence across diverse fields and geographies.
Ghana and Nigeria have made strides in education but face challenges. In Ghana, education is free and compulsory up to the junior high level, with efforts to improve access and quality. However, issues like inadequate infrastructure and teacher shortages persist.
Nigeria also has free primary education, but challenges include low enrollment rates, particularly in northern regions, due to factors like poverty and insecurity. There are efforts to improve infrastructure and curriculum, but issues like inadequate funding and teacher quality remain.
Both countries recognize education as crucial for development and are working towards addressing these challenges to ensure better access and quality education for all.