Best Law Schools in Africa

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Africa ranked based on their research performance in Law. A graph of 8.05M citations received by 604K academic papers made by 363 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 Flag

South Africa | Cape Town

For Law

#1 in South Africa

#158 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Law

#2 in South Africa

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Law

#3 in South Africa

#256 in the World

Founded: 1918

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#4 in South Africa

#260 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Law

#5 in South Africa

#294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

6. University of South Africa

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#6 in South Africa

#306 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Founded: 1873

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Law

#7 in South Africa

#318 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. North-West University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Law

#8 in South Africa

#445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

9. University of Ghana

For Law

#1 in Ghana

#589 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1948

10. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Law

#621 in the World

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

11. University of the Western Cape

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bellville

For Law

#9 in South Africa

#631 in the World

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

12. University of the Free State

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Law

#10 in South Africa

#663 in the World

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

13. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Law

#1 in Uganda

#697 in the World

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

14. Cairo University

For Law

#1 in Egypt

#761 in the World

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

15. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Law

#822 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

16. Rhodes University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Makhanda

For Law

#11 in South Africa

#866 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

17. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#1 in Kenya

#869 in the World

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

18. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Law

#895 in the World

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

19. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Law

#918 in the World

Founded: 1950

20. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Law

#928 in the World

Founded: 1964

21. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Law

#2 in Ghana

#989 in the World

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

22. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Law

#12 in South Africa

#1006 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

23. Ain Shams University

For Law

#2 in Egypt

#1011 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

24. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Law

#1016 in the World

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

25. University of Sfax

For Law

#1091 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 33,193

26. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Law

#3 in Egypt

#1103 in the World

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

27. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Law

#3 in Ghana

#1113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

28. Covenant University

For Law

#1124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

29. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Law

#1216 in the World

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

30. University of Fort Hare

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Alice

For Law

#13 in South Africa

#1231 in the World

Enrollment: 11,074
Founded: 1916

31. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Law

#4 in Egypt

#1245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

32. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Law

#5 in Egypt

#1246 in the World

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

33. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Law

#1301 in the World

34. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Law

#1327 in the World

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

35. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Law

#1336 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

36. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Law

#1344 in the World

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

37. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#14 in South Africa

#1414 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

38. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Law

#1418 in the World

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

39. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Law

#1430 in the World

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

40. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Law

#1434 in the World

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

41. University of Limpopo

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Mankweng

For Law

#15 in South Africa

#1453 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

42. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Law

#1 in Zambia

#1511 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

43. University of Malawi

For Law

#1 in Malawi

#1564 in the World

Enrollment: 10,500
Founded: 1964

44. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Cape Town

For Law

#16 in South Africa

#1567 in the World

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

45. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Law

#1569 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

46. Helwan University

For Law

#6 in Egypt

#1590 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

47. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Law

#2 in Kenya

#1596 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

48. Durban University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Law

#17 in South Africa

#1622 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

49. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Law

#1643 in the World

Enrollment: 19,311

50. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#3 in Kenya

#1651 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

51. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Law

#10 in Nigeria

#1654 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

52. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Law

#7 in Egypt

#1677 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

53. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1691 in the World

54. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Law

#1721 in the World

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

55. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Law

#1723 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

56. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#4 in Kenya

#1736 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

57. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Law

#11 in Nigeria

#1766 in the World

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

58. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1813 in the World

59. University for Development Studies

For Law

#4 in Ghana

#1845 in the World

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

60. Lagos State University

For Law

#12 in Nigeria

#1864 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

61. Assiut University

For Law

#8 in Egypt

#1865 in the World

Founded: 1957

62. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Law

#1 in Mauritius

#1867 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

63. University of Zululand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Law

#18 in South Africa

#1897 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

64. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Law

#13 in Nigeria

#1901 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

65. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Law

#9 in Egypt

#1902 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

66. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Law

#1923 in the World

67. Tanta University

For Law

#10 in Egypt

#1944 in the World

Founded: 1972

68. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Law

#14 in Nigeria

#1974 in the World

Founded: 1992

69. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Law

#1989 in the World

70. University of Carthage

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1996 in the World

Enrollment: 50,314

71. Pedagogical University

Mozambique Flag

Mozambique | Maputo

For Law

#1 in Mozambique

#2001 in the World

Founded: 1985

72. Manouba University

Tunisia | Manouba

For Law

#2046 in the World

Enrollment: 17,040

73. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Law

#15 in Nigeria

#2058 in the World

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

74. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Law

#5 in Ghana

#2060 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

75. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Law

#11 in Egypt

#2142 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

76. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Law

#16 in Nigeria

#2195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

77. Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Egypt | Alexandria

For Law

#12 in Egypt

#2217 in the World

Enrollment: 18,000
Founded: 1972

78. University of Venda

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Law

#19 in South Africa

#2225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

79. Haramaya University

Ethiopia | Haramaya

For Law

#2231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1954

80. Vaal University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Vanderbijlpark

For Law

#20 in South Africa

#2247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1966

81. University of Uyo

For Law

#17 in Nigeria

#2259 in the World

Founded: 1991

82. Minia University

For Law

#13 in Egypt

#2266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

83. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Law

#18 in Nigeria

#2273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

84. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Law

#2308 in the World

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

85. Bayero University Kano

For Law

#19 in Nigeria

#2316 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

86. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Law

#20 in Nigeria

#2330 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1999

87. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Law

#21 in Nigeria

#2333 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

88. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Law

#2342 in the World

89. Benha University

For Law

#14 in Egypt

#2359 in the World

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

90. Hawassa University

Ethiopia | Awasa

For Law

#2367 in the World

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

91. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Mthatha

For Law

#21 in South Africa

#2368 in the World

Founded: 2005

92. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Law

#1 in Sudan

#2380 in the World

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

93. Al-Azhar University

For Law

#15 in Egypt

#2399 in the World

Founded: 1961

94. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Law

#22 in Nigeria

#2403 in the World

Founded: 2000

95. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Law

#2407 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

96. Ibn Tofail University

Morocco | Kenitra

For Law

#2456 in the World

97. Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

For Law

#6 in Ghana

#2461 in the World

Founded: 1961

98. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Law

#2466 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

99. University of Jos

For Law

#23 in Nigeria

#2541 in the World

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

100. University of Dschang

Cameroon | Dschang

For Law

#2563 in the World

Founded: 1993

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Anthropology258

Broadcast Journalism45

Classics and Ancient History111

Communications and Public Relations200

Criminology and Criminal Justice69

Early Childhood Education39

Education Majors236

Forensic Science55

Gender Studies117

Human Rights Law55

Intellectual Property and Patent Law23

International Law51

International Relations and Diplomacy28

Journalism and Digital Media70

Law Enforcement44

Library and Information science114

Media Studies59

Military science23

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution31

Occupational Safety and Health54

Political Economy68

Political Science363

Public Policy / Administration119

Radio and Television broadcasting67

Special Education26

Sports / Exercise science31

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies211

Urban and Regional planning43