The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has emerged as the top institution in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, solidifying its position as a leader in the region’s higher education landscape. UJ’s outstanding performance saw it surpass the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), which slipped to third place, while the University of Pretoria (UP) claimed second. Together, these achievements highlight South Africa’s continued dominance in higher education rankings.

UJ stood out with an impressive score above 80, the highest in the region, marking it as the only institution to achieve such a distinction. Its success was attributed to excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact, areas that underscore its dedication to innovation and academic quality.

The Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings aim to address the unique challenges faced by higher education institutions across the continent, home to more than a billion people. By assessing universities across five key pillars—resources and finance, access and fairness, student engagement, ethical leadership, and Africa impact—the rankings offer a holistic view of institutional performance.

Beyond South Africa, other countries made notable gains. Rwanda’s University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) secured fourth place, a testament to its innovative approach to addressing public health challenges. The University of Rwanda also joined the top tier, ranking sixth and reinforcing Rwanda’s rising prominence in higher education.

Ghana showcased significant progress, with the University of Ghana climbing from 17th to fifth place. This leap reflects a renewed focus on ethical leadership and student engagement. Ashesi University, known for its emphasis on leadership and entrepreneurial thinking, retained its position in the top 10 in ninth place.

In East Africa, Somalia and Uganda earned recognition among the top 10 institutions. SIMAD University emerged as Somalia’s top performer, ranking seventh, while Uganda’s Makerere University, a longstanding academic powerhouse, placed eighth.

South Africa’s 10 ranked universities achieved the highest average score in the region, at 65 out of 100, while Ghana’s 11 ranked institutions averaged 57, excelling particularly in ethical leadership metrics. Kenya also made a strong showing with 15 universities ranked, averaging a score of 54. The University of Embu led Kenyan institutions to 16th place. Kenyan universities excelled in course quality, as reflected in student feedback, but faced challenges in ensuring access and fairness for first-generation and low-income students.

Nigeria emerged as the most represented country in the rankings, with 41 institutions included. The American University of Nigeria led the nation, ranking 12th. Nigerian universities performed well in ethical leadership and student engagement, particularly in teaching and curriculum quality, but shared similar challenges with Kenya in improving access for underserved populations.

This year, the rankings introduced "ethical leadership" as a new evaluation criterion, reflecting the growing demand for universities to address societal challenges and foster values-driven education. Institutions in Ghana and Nigeria excelled in this area, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing socially responsible leaders.

However, systemic challenges remain. Teboho Moja, a professor of higher education at New York University, noted that underfunding, an aging faculty, and rising student demand continues to strain resources and impact research productivity.

As the rankings enter their second year, they provide a comprehensive assessment of institutional performance while highlighting areas for improvement. By aligning their efforts with regional priorities and global best practices, universities across Sub-Saharan Africa are steadily building a foundation for a more robust and impactful higher education system.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

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https://www.timeshighereducation.com/sub-saharan-africa-university-rankings