Best Theoretical Universities in Africa [2026 Rankings]

1

South Africa | Cape Town

University of Cape Town

For Theoretical

#1 in South Africa #197 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

2

South Africa | Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

For Theoretical

#2 in South Africa #252 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded

3

South Africa | Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

For Theoretical

#3 in South Africa #287 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

4

South Africa | Potchefstroom

North-West University

For Theoretical

#4 in South Africa #400 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

5

Egypt | Giza

Cairo University

For Theoretical

#1 in Egypt #482 in the World

90% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

1908 Founded

6

South Africa | Pretoria

University of Pretoria

For Theoretical

#6 in South Africa #680 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

7

South Africa | Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

For Theoretical

#9 in South Africa #1006 in the World

58% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2005 Founded

8

South Africa | Bellville

University of the Western Cape

For Theoretical

#11 in South Africa #1164 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded

9

Nigeria | Ibadan

University of Ibadan

For Theoretical

#1 in Nigeria #1464 in the World

11% Acceptance

41,269 Enrollment

1948 Founded

10

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela University

For Theoretical

#15 in South Africa #2075 in the World

57% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

2005 Founded

11

Ghana | Kumasi

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Theoretical

#3 in Ghana #2093 in the World

54% Acceptance

85,000 Enrollment

1951 Founded

12

Algeria | Jijel

University of Jijel

For Theoretical

#4 in Algeria #1282 in the World

51% Acceptance

31,588 Enrollment

13

Egypt | New Cairo

American University in Cairo

For Theoretical

#16 in Egypt #2090 in the World

90% Acceptance

6,857 Enrollment

1919 Founded

14

South Africa | Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

For Theoretical

#12 in South Africa #1351 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

15

Algeria | Algiers

University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene

For Theoretical

#3 in Algeria #1198 in the World

55% Acceptance

54,549 Enrollment

16

Morocco | Rabat

Mohammed V University

For Theoretical

#1 in Morocco #894 in the World

50% Acceptance

49,769 Enrollment

17

Tunisia | Sousse

University of Sousse

For Theoretical

#6 in Tunisia #1917 in the World

34% Acceptance

19,311 Enrollment

18

Egypt | El Shorouk

British University in Egypt

For Theoretical

#5 in Egypt #857 in the World

40% Acceptance

12,178 Enrollment

2005 Founded

19

Nigeria | Ota

Covenant University

For Theoretical

#11 in Nigeria #2161 in the World

89% Acceptance

20,000 Enrollment

2002 Founded

20

Algeria | Ouargla

University of Ouargla

For Theoretical

#14 in Algeria #2130 in the World

57% Acceptance

39,916 Enrollment

21

Egypt | Mansoura

Mansoura University

For Theoretical

#3 in Egypt #646 in the World

70% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

1972 Founded

22

South Africa | Makhanda

Rhodes University

For Theoretical

#13 in South Africa #1369 in the World

61% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

1904 Founded

23

Cameroon | Douala

University of Douala

For Theoretical

#4 in Cameroon #2013 in the World

59% Acceptance

33,000 Enrollment

1977 Founded

24

Mozambique | Maputo

Pedagogical University

For Theoretical

#1 in Mozambique #1315 in the World

29% Acceptance

37,968 Enrollment

1985 Founded

25

Tunisia | Monastir

University of Monastir

For Theoretical

#4 in Tunisia #1218 in the World

51% Acceptance

33,193 Enrollment

26

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

Menoufia University

For Theoretical

#13 in Egypt #1693 in the World

71% Acceptance

80,000 Enrollment

1976 Founded

27

Nigeria | Zaria

Ahmadu Bello University

For Theoretical

#9 in Nigeria #2030 in the World

8% Acceptance

49,436 Enrollment

1962 Founded

28

Algeria | Bejaia

University of Bejaia

For Theoretical

#7 in Algeria #1747 in the World

50% Acceptance

39,916 Enrollment

29

Egypt | Alexandria

Alexandria University

For Theoretical

#2 in Egypt #577 in the World

60% Acceptance

197,278 Enrollment

1942 Founded

30

South Africa | Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

For Theoretical

#14 in South Africa #1894 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

31

Algeria | Annaba

University of Annaba

For Theoretical

#1 in Algeria #843 in the World

64% Acceptance

39,916 Enrollment

32

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

Landmark University

For Theoretical

#14 in Nigeria #2284 in the World

100% Acceptance

26,181 Enrollment

2011 Founded

33

Tunisia | Tunis

University of Tunis El Manar

For Theoretical

#2 in Tunisia #944 in the World

45% Acceptance

33,193 Enrollment

34

Egypt | Minya

Minia University

For Theoretical

#11 in Egypt #1569 in the World

90% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

1976 Founded

35

Nigeria | Ife

Obafemi Awolowo University

For Theoretical

#8 in Nigeria #2004 in the World

7% Acceptance

32,480 Enrollment

1962 Founded

36

Algeria | Blida

University of Blida 1

For Theoretical

#11 in Algeria #2042 in the World

58% Acceptance

39,916 Enrollment

37

Egypt | Cairo

Ain Shams University

For Theoretical

#4 in Egypt #766 in the World

73% Acceptance

220,000 Enrollment

1950 Founded

38

South Africa | Pretoria

University of South Africa

For Theoretical

#7 in South Africa #752 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

39

Algeria | Constantine

University of Constantine 1

For Theoretical

#2 in Algeria #1026 in the World

57% Acceptance

39,916 Enrollment

40

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

Rivers State University

For Theoretical

#15 in Nigeria #2316 in the World

10% Acceptance

20,000 Enrollment

1980 Founded

41

Tunisia | Tunis

Tunis University

For Theoretical

#1 in Tunisia #911 in the World

39% Acceptance

33,193 Enrollment

42

Egypt | Benha

Benha University

For Theoretical

#8 in Egypt #1129 in the World

90% Acceptance

88,016 Enrollment

1976 Founded

43

Nigeria | Nsukka

University of Nigeria

For Theoretical

#6 in Nigeria #1724 in the World

38% Acceptance

40,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

44

Algeria | Algiers

University of Algiers 1

For Theoretical

#9 in Algeria #1883 in the World

62% Acceptance

54,549 Enrollment

45

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa University

For Theoretical

#1 in Ethiopia #2023 in the World

64% Acceptance

30,000 Enrollment

1950 Founded

46

South Africa | Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

For Theoretical

#5 in South Africa #563 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

47

Egypt | Damanhur

Damanhour University

For Theoretical

#18 in Egypt #2175 in the World

71% Acceptance

40,317 Enrollment

2010 Founded

48

Nigeria | Owerri

Federal University of Technology, Owerri

For Theoretical

#10 in Nigeria #2139 in the World

20% Acceptance

23,100 Enrollment

1980 Founded

49

Zimbabwe | Bulawayo

National University of Science and Technology

For Theoretical

#1 in Zimbabwe #2158 in the World

73% Acceptance

20,399 Enrollment

1991 Founded

50

Egypt | Ismailia

Suez Canal University

For Theoretical

#17 in Egypt #2125 in the World

77% Acceptance

40,317 Enrollment

1976 Founded

51

Nigeria | Lagos

University of Lagos

For Theoretical

#7 in Nigeria #1939 in the World

11% Acceptance

48,680 Enrollment

1962 Founded

52

Algeria | Setif

Ferhat Abbas Setif University 1

For Theoretical

#6 in Algeria #1547 in the World

78% Acceptance

54,549 Enrollment

53

Ghana | Winneba

University of Education, Winneba

For Theoretical

#1 in Ghana #1716 in the World

79% Acceptance

4,000 Enrollment

1992 Founded

54

Sudan | Khartoum

University of Khartoum

For Theoretical

#1 in Sudan #1495 in the World

9% Acceptance

41,030 Enrollment

1956 Founded

55

Egypt | New Cairo

Future University in Egypt

For Theoretical

#20 in Egypt #2189 in the World

60% Acceptance

12,178 Enrollment

2006 Founded

56

Nigeria | Uyo

University of Uyo

For Theoretical

#4 in Nigeria #1586 in the World

41% Acceptance

40,000 Enrollment

1991 Founded

57

Algeria | Mostaganem

University of Mostaganem

For Theoretical

#10 in Algeria #1998 in the World

63% Acceptance

24,214 Enrollment

58

Egypt | Tanta

Tanta University

For Theoretical

#14 in Egypt #1829 in the World

72% Acceptance

220,000 Enrollment

1972 Founded

59

Senegal | Dakar

Cheikh Anta Diop University

For Theoretical

#1 in Senegal #1976 in the World

68% Acceptance

89,589 Enrollment

1918 Founded

60

Algeria | Tlemcen

University of Tlemcen

For Theoretical

#12 in Algeria #2084 in the World

58% Acceptance

60,000 Enrollment

61

Morocco | Tetouan

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

For Theoretical

#6 in Morocco #2185 in the World

60% Acceptance

49,769 Enrollment

62

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

University of Dar es Salaam

For Theoretical

#1 in Tanzania #2302 in the World

10% Acceptance

45,155 Enrollment

1970 Founded

63

Egypt | Port Said

Port Said University

For Theoretical

#12 in Egypt #1637 in the World

66% Acceptance

88,016 Enrollment

2010 Founded

64

Nigeria | Calabar

University of Calabar

For Theoretical

#5 in Nigeria #1668 in the World

30% Acceptance

40,645 Enrollment

1975 Founded

65

Algeria | Oran

University of Science and Technology of Oran

For Theoretical

#15 in Algeria #2305 in the World

53% Acceptance

18,484 Enrollment

66

Egypt | Cairo

Helwan University

For Theoretical

#19 in Egypt #2186 in the World

60% Acceptance

12,178 Enrollment

1975 Founded

67

South Africa | Durban

Mangosuthu University of Technology

For Theoretical

#16 in South Africa #2272 in the World

73% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

1979 Founded

68

Algeria | Batna

University of Batna 1

For Theoretical

#8 in Algeria #1853 in the World

60% Acceptance

31,588 Enrollment

69

Morocco | Kenitra

Ibn Tofail University

For Theoretical

#5 in Morocco #1308 in the World

61% Acceptance

60,000 Enrollment

70

Tunisia | Sfax

University of Sfax

For Theoretical

#3 in Tunisia #956 in the World

8% Acceptance

33,193 Enrollment

71

Egypt | Beni Suef

Beni-Suef University

For Theoretical

#6 in Egypt #1023 in the World

79% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

2005 Founded

72

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

University of Port Harcourt

For Theoretical

#2 in Nigeria #1510 in the World

15% Acceptance

20,000 Enrollment

1975 Founded

73

Botswana | Gaborone

University of Botswana

For Theoretical

#1 in Botswana #1568 in the World

61% Acceptance

4,500 Enrollment

1964 Founded

74

Egypt | Asyut

Assiut University

For Theoretical

#10 in Egypt #1520 in the World

74% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

1957 Founded

75

South Africa | Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

For Theoretical

#17 in South Africa #2300 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

76

Cameroon | Dschang

University of Dschang

For Theoretical

#2 in Cameroon #1729 in the World

34% Acceptance

30,000 Enrollment

1993 Founded

77

Morocco | Fez

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Theoretical

#3 in Morocco #1212 in the World

60% Acceptance

60,000 Enrollment

78

Tunisia | Gabes

Gabes University

For Theoretical

#7 in Tunisia #1967 in the World

28% Acceptance

15,263 Enrollment

79

Egypt | Nasser City

Sohag university

For Theoretical

#21 in Egypt #2195 in the World

75% Acceptance

220,000 Enrollment

2006 Founded

80

Nigeria | Benin

University of Benin

For Theoretical

#13 in Nigeria #2243 in the World

70% Acceptance

30,000 Enrollment

1970 Founded

81

Cameroon | Maroua

University of Maroua

For Theoretical

#3 in Cameroon #1761 in the World

59% Acceptance

30,000 Enrollment

2008 Founded

82

Egypt | Zagazig

Zagazig University

For Theoretical

#7 in Egypt #1042 in the World

75% Acceptance

117,299 Enrollment

1974 Founded

83

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

University of Zululand

For Theoretical

#10 in South Africa #1159 in the World

45% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

84

Algeria | Biskra

University of Biskra

For Theoretical

#13 in Algeria #2104 in the World

52% Acceptance

31,588 Enrollment

85

Morocco | Casablanca

Hassan II University of Casablanca

For Theoretical

#4 in Morocco #1230 in the World

60% Acceptance

13,000 Enrollment

86

Tunisia | Manouba

Manouba University

For Theoretical

#8 in Tunisia #2029 in the World

40% Acceptance

17,040 Enrollment

87

Egypt | Qena

South Valley University – Qena

For Theoretical

#15 in Egypt #1916 in the World

64% Acceptance

88,016 Enrollment

1995 Founded

88

Nigeria | Ilorin

University of Ilorin

For Theoretical

#3 in Nigeria #1545 in the World

75% Acceptance

76,000 Enrollment

1975 Founded

89

Cameroon | Ngaoundere

University of Ngaoundere

For Theoretical

#1 in Cameroon #1585 in the World

66% Acceptance

30,000 Enrollment

1982 Founded

90

Egypt | Cairo

Al-Azhar University

For Theoretical

#9 in Egypt #1187 in the World

77% Acceptance

207,853 Enrollment

1961 Founded

91

South Africa | Durban

Durban University of Technology

For Theoretical

#8 in South Africa #812 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

92

Algeria | Oran

University of Oran 1

For Theoretical

#5 in Algeria #1531 in the World

64% Acceptance

60,000 Enrollment

93

Morocco | Marrakesh

Cadi Ayyad University

For Theoretical

#2 in Morocco #1034 in the World

59% Acceptance

60,000 Enrollment

94

Tunisia | Tunis

University of Carthage

For Theoretical

#5 in Tunisia #1912 in the World

53% Acceptance

50,314 Enrollment

95

Egypt | Faiyum

Fayoum University

For Theoretical

#22 in Egypt #2322 in the World

76% Acceptance

88,016 Enrollment

2005 Founded

96

Nigeria | Awka

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Theoretical

#12 in Nigeria #2191 in the World

12% Acceptance

40,000 Enrollment

1991 Founded

96 Best Universities in Africa for Theoretical

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