Africa Higher Education Rankings
Higher education that lifts a continent
Africa’s progress depends on its universities — to build skills and jobs, drive innovation, strengthen institutions, and develop ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. The Education Collaborative has built a rankings program that defines and recognizes that contribution, and helps every African institution deepen it.
01
Skills and employability
How institutions prepare students for work, enterprise, and further study.
02
Innovation and research
The research and ideas that address the continent’s real challenges.
03
Strong, well-run institutions
Sound governance, sustainability, and the capacity to deliver.
04
Ethical, entrepreneurial leadership
How universities shape engaged citizens and the leaders Africa needs.
Calendar of Events
March 25, 2026
April 29, 2026
- Information Webinar I
Click here to watch a recap of the webinar
May 20, 2026
- Information Webinar II
June 2 - 19, 2026
- Call for Applicants: Interim Advisory Committee (IAC)
August 13 - 14, 2026
- Meeting with East Africa Hub Strategic and Technical Committee, Nairobi- Kenya
August 21, 2026
- Inaugural Interim Advisory Council Meeting
Built with the institutions it serves
The Rankings were shaped with the network they serve — senior leaders across member institutions helped define the framework and its foundations through the program’s advisory committee. Institutions interested in the work are welcome to reach out.
Where it began: the 2019 Beyond Rankings conversation
Before the framework, there was a question. At the Education Collaborative’s 2019 Executive Conference, nineteen university leaders across six countries set out to define what success looks like for an African university; measured against its own mission and the lives it changes. The Africa Higher Education Rankings initiative grew directly out of that conversation.
Developing productive citizens and enlightened leaders is the business of education.Dr. Patrick Awuah · Founder, Ashesi University
Beyond Rankings
Defining success for an African university.
A pilot with Times Higher Education (THE), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation
In 2023, the idea took its first concrete form: the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings powered by THE, and in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Rather than importing a template, the methodology was built for the region from work led by a consortium, on-the-ground research, and THE’s ranking experience.
01
Resources & finance
What an institution has, to deliver a high-quality education.
02
Access & fairness
How open and inclusive it is, so every student can succeed.
03
Teaching skills
What the education equips students with, through to employability.
04
Student engagement
Students’ voice, representation, and connection on campus.
05
Africa impact
Research and outreach that move the continent forward.
Uniquely, it drew on a first-of-its-kind student survey alongside university data, so learners’ own experience counted. The inaugural edition was voluntary, and minimum survey thresholds meant not every university appeared — but it spanned institutions from Nigeria and Ghana to Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
Explore the 2023 methodology →See the published ranking →
From a partnership to an African-led program
The pilot with Times Higher Education established the foundation: a trial methodology and a first cohort of ranked universities. From there the program moved onto the continent — The Education Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, took on the Africa Higher Education Rankings as an African-owned effort: grounded in African priorities and built to a standard that earns recognition anywhere, turning data into action that shapes policy and strengthens institutions.
Rankings should not just measure performance — they should drive it.Obed Nhyira Sam · Director, Africa Higher Education Rankings
Watch: building an African-led ranking
The Work So Far
The Rankings grew step by step — from a question asked in 2019, to a regional pilot with Times Higher Education, to an African-led program housed at The Education Collaborative.
01
Defined success on African terms — 2019
- Nineteen university leaders from six countries set out what success means for an African university, in the Beyond Rankings conversation.
02
Piloted the methodology with THE — 2023
- The Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings launched with Times Higher Education and the Mastercard Foundation — a region-built methodology drawing on a first-of-its-kind student survey.
- The inaugural edition spanned institutions from Nigeria and Ghana to Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
03
Redesigning how the Rankings are produced
- The Education Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, took over production of the Rankings and is now redesigning it — rebuilding the methodology and process as an African-led program.
Follow the Africa Higher Education Rankings
Questions or input? Write to rankings@educollaborative.org.