Africa's best Development Studies universities [Rankings]

Below is a list of best universities in Africa ranked based on their research performance in Development Studies. A graph of 4.26M citations received by 277K academic papers made by 333 universities in Africa was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Cape Town

South Africa | Cape Town

For Development Studies

#1 in South Africa

#71 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Development Studies

#2 in South Africa

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Development Studies

#3 in South Africa

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Development Studies

#4 in South Africa

#159 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Development Studies

#5 in South Africa

#166 in the World

Founded: 1918

6. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Development Studies

#6 in South Africa

#196 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Founded: 1873

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Development Studies

#7 in South Africa

#200 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. University of Ghana

Ghana | Legon

For Development Studies

#1 in Ghana

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1948

9. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Development Studies

#1 in Uganda

#279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1922

10. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Development Studies

#1 in Nigeria

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 41,269
Founded: 1948

11. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Development Studies

#8 in South Africa

#304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

12. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Development Studies

#9 in South Africa

#348 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 24,754
Founded: 1959

13. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Development Studies

#2 in Nigeria

#384 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

14. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Development Studies

#10 in South Africa

#419 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 37,000
Founded: 1904

15. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Development Studies

#1 in Ethiopia

#440 in the World

Founded: 1950

16. Obafemi Awolowo University

Nigeria | Ife

For Development Studies

#3 in Nigeria

#446 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Enrollment: 32,480
Founded: 1962

17. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Development Studies

#1 in Kenya

#466 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1970

18. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ghana | Kumasi

For Development Studies

#2 in Ghana

#516 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment: 85,000
Founded: 1951

19. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Development Studies

#1 in Botswana

#537 in the World

Founded: 1964

20. Cairo University

Egypt | Giza

For Development Studies

#1 in Egypt

#546 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 207,853
Founded: 1908

21. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Development Studies

#4 in Nigeria

#559 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 48,680
Founded: 1962

22. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Development Studies

#1 in Zimbabwe

#640 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 20,399
Founded: 1955

23. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Development Studies

#11 in South Africa

#645 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

24. University of Malawi

Malawi | Zomba

For Development Studies

#1 in Malawi

#653 in the World

Enrollment: 10,500
Founded: 1964

25. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Development Studies

#2 in Ethiopia

#662 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Enrollment: 49,103
Male:Female: 58:42
Founded: 1954

26. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Development Studies

#3 in Ghana

#688 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

27. Covenant University

Nigeria | Ota

For Development Studies

#5 in Nigeria

#692 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

28. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Development Studies

#1 in Zambia

#722 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

29. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Development Studies

#3 in Ethiopia

#755 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

30. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Development Studies

#2 in Egypt

#803 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 197,278
Founded: 1942

31. University of Fort Hare

South Africa | Alice

For Development Studies

#12 in South Africa

#807 in the World

Enrollment: 11,074
Founded: 1916

32. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Development Studies

#1 in Tanzania

#833 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 45,155
Founded: 1970

33. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Development Studies

#6 in Nigeria

#840 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 76,000
Founded: 1975

34. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Development Studies

#13 in South Africa

#846 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

35. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Development Studies

#14 in South Africa

#861 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

36. Ain Shams University

Egypt | Cairo

For Development Studies

#3 in Egypt

#864 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

37. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Development Studies

#7 in Nigeria

#872 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 40,645
Founded: 1975

38. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nigeria | Awka

For Development Studies

#8 in Nigeria

#879 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1991

39. University for Development Studies

Ghana | Tamale

For Development Studies

#4 in Ghana

#903 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Enrollment: 13,132
Founded: 1992

40. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Development Studies

#4 in Egypt

#919 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

41. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Development Studies

#4 in Ethiopia

#921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 2001

42. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Development Studies

#15 in South Africa

#945 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

43. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Development Studies

#2 in Kenya

#971 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

44. University of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone | Freetown

For Development Studies

#1 in Sierra Leone

#975 in the World

Founded: 2005

45. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Development Studies

#5 in Egypt

#1001 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 6,857
Founded: 1919

46. University of Sfax

Tunisia | Sfax

For Development Studies

#1 in Tunisia

#1014 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 33,193

47. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Development Studies

#9 in Nigeria

#1052 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

48. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Development Studies

#10 in Nigeria

#1065 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

49. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Development Studies

#3 in Kenya

#1066 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

50. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Development Studies

#11 in Nigeria

#1073 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 49,436
Founded: 1962

51. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Development Studies

#16 in South Africa

#1074 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

52. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Development Studies

#17 in South Africa

#1077 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Enrollment: 35,047
Founded: 2005

53. Haramaya University

Ethiopia | Haramaya

For Development Studies

#5 in Ethiopia

#1106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1954

54. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Development Studies

#6 in Egypt

#1116 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

55. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Development Studies

#2 in Tunisia

#1157 in the World

Enrollment: 19,311

56. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Development Studies

#2 in Tanzania

#1195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

57. Lagos State University

Nigeria | Ojo

For Development Studies

#12 in Nigeria

#1205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

58. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Development Studies

#6 in Ethiopia

#1206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Enrollment: 17,030
Founded: 1991

59. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Development Studies

#13 in Nigeria

#1209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

60. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Development Studies

#14 in Nigeria

#1244 in the World

Founded: 1992

61. Tanta University

Egypt | Tanta

For Development Studies

#7 in Egypt

#1282 in the World

Founded: 1972

62. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Development Studies

#18 in South Africa

#1286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

63. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Development Studies

#15 in Nigeria

#1305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 23,100
Founded: 1981

64. Hawassa University

Ethiopia | Awasa

For Development Studies

#7 in Ethiopia

#1313 in the World

Enrollment: 30,414
Male:Female: 75:25
Founded: 1976

65. Helwan University

Egypt | Cairo

For Development Studies

#8 in Egypt

#1346 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

66. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Development Studies

#1 in Morocco

#1347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

67. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Development Studies

#4 in Kenya

#1351 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

68. Bayero University Kano

Nigeria | Kano

For Development Studies

#16 in Nigeria

#1361 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

69. University of Venda

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Development Studies

#19 in South Africa

#1368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

70. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Development Studies

#1 in Mauritius

#1373 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

71. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa | Mthatha

For Development Studies

#20 in South Africa

#1434 in the World

Founded: 2005

72. University of Dschang

Cameroon | Dschang

For Development Studies

#1 in Cameroon

#1436 in the World

Founded: 1993

73. Assiut University

Egypt | Asyut

For Development Studies

#9 in Egypt

#1448 in the World

Founded: 1957

74. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Development Studies

#17 in Nigeria

#1455 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

75. Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Uganda | Mbarara

For Development Studies

#2 in Uganda

#1458 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1989

76. Benha University

Egypt | Benha

For Development Studies

#10 in Egypt

#1464 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 88,016
Founded: 1976

77. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Development Studies

#11 in Egypt

#1490 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

78. University of Uyo

Nigeria | Uyo

For Development Studies

#18 in Nigeria

#1509 in the World

Founded: 1991

79. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Development Studies

#19 in Nigeria

#1529 in the World

Founded: 2000

80. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Development Studies

#12 in Egypt

#1542 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

81. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Development Studies

#5 in Ghana

#1593 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

82. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Development Studies

#20 in Nigeria

#1600 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

83. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Development Studies

#1 in Senegal

#1621 in the World

Enrollment: 89,589
Founded: 1918

84. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Development Studies

#1 in Namibia

#1627 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

85. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Development Studies

#3 in Tunisia

#1645 in the World

86. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Development Studies

#4 in Tunisia

#1650 in the World

87. University of Buea

Cameroon | Buea

For Development Studies

#2 in Cameroon

#1652 in the World

Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1992

88. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Development Studies

#21 in Nigeria

#1655 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

89. Vaal University of Technology

South Africa | Vanderbijlpark

For Development Studies

#21 in South Africa

#1669 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1966

90. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Development Studies

#22 in Nigeria

#1671 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1999

91. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Development Studies

#1 in Sudan

#1692 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 41,030
Founded: 1956

92. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Development Studies

#1 in Mozambique

#1717 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

93. Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

Ghana | Accra

For Development Studies

#6 in Ghana

#1729 in the World

Founded: 1961

94. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

South Africa | Pretoria

For Development Studies

#22 in South Africa

#1736 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 2014

95. Pedagogical University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Development Studies

#2 in Mozambique

#1746 in the World

Founded: 1985

96. University of Jos

Nigeria | Jos

For Development Studies

#23 in Nigeria

#1771 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

97. Sokoine University of Agriculture

Tanzania | Morogoro

For Development Studies

#3 in Tanzania

#1797 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1984

98. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Development Studies

#24 in Nigeria

#1799 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

99. Minia University

Egypt | Minya

For Development Studies

#13 in Egypt

#1807 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

100. University of Carthage

Tunisia | Tunis

For Development Studies

#5 in Tunisia

#1808 in the World

Enrollment: 50,314

Economics subfields in Africa