Best Law Schools in Africa

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Africa ranked based on their research performance in Law. A graph of 4.46M citations received by 461K academic papers made by 349 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 Law

#1 in South Africa

#156 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Law

#2 in South Africa

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Law

#3 in South Africa

#260 in the World

Founded: 1918

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#4 in South Africa

#274 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Law

#5 in South Africa

#308 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

6. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#6 in South Africa

#348 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1873

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Law

#7 in South Africa

#393 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Law

#8 in South Africa

#491 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Enrollment: 26,439
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 2004

9. University of Ghana

For Law

#1 in Ghana

#646 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 67,914
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 1948

10. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Law

#9 in South Africa

#655 in the World

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

11. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Law

#663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1948

12. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Law

#10 in South Africa

#709 in the World

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

13. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Law

#1 in Uganda

#739 in the World

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

14. Cairo University

For Law

#1 in Egypt

#787 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 257,200
Founded: 1908

15. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Law

#11 in South Africa

#845 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

16. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Law

#865 in the World

Founded: 1964

17. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#1 in Kenya

#912 in the World

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

18. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Law

#950 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Founded: 1962

19. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Law

#966 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

20. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Law

#1006 in the World

Founded: 1950

21. Ain Shams University

For Law

#2 in Egypt

#1042 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

22. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Law

#12 in South Africa

#1043 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

23. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Law

#3 in Egypt

#1070 in the World

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

24. University of Sfax

For Law

#1107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%

25. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Law

#2 in Ghana

#1123 in the World

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

26. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Law

#1126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1962

27. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Law

#1130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 18,040
Founded: 1955

28. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Law

#4 in Egypt

#1215 in the World

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

29. Covenant University

For Law

#1266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

30. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Law

#5 in Egypt

#1322 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

31. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Law

#3 in Ghana

#1341 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

32. University of Fort Hare

South Africa | Alice

For Law

#13 in South Africa

#1348 in the World

Founded: 1916

33. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Law

#1399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,000
Founded: 1970

34. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Law

#1417 in the World

Enrollment: 98,720
Male:Female: 54:46

35. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Law

#1425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 67,415

36. University of Malawi

For Law

#1 in Malawi

#1449 in the World

Founded: 1964

37. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Law

#14 in South Africa

#1490 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

38. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Law

#1551 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

39. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Law

#1 in Zambia

#1553 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

40. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Law

#1566 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1975

41. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Law

#15 in South Africa

#1577 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

42. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Law

#2 in Kenya

#1596 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

43. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Law

#1625 in the World

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

44. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1639 in the World

45. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Law

#1702 in the World

46. Helwan University

For Law

#6 in Egypt

#1705 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

47. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Law

#16 in South Africa

#1708 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Founded: 2005

48. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Law

#1750 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1991

49. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Law

#1778 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

50. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Law

#7 in Egypt

#1789 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

51. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Law

#10 in Nigeria

#1819 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

52. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Law

#11 in Nigeria

#1835 in the World

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

53. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1847 in the World

54. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Law

#1 in Mauritius

#1875 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

55. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Law

#17 in South Africa

#1884 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 10,213
Founded: 2002

56. Assiut University

For Law

#8 in Egypt

#1891 in the World

Founded: 1957

57. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#3 in Kenya

#1913 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

58. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Law

#1932 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

59. University of Carthage

Tunisia | Tunis

For Law

#1989 in the World

Enrollment: 50,314

60. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Law

#18 in South Africa

#1991 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

61. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Law

#9 in Egypt

#2001 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

62. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Law

#2012 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 57,852
Founded: 2001

63. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Law

#2055 in the World

Enrollment: 29,703

64. Tanta University

For Law

#10 in Egypt

#2058 in the World

Founded: 1972

65. Manouba University

Tunisia | Manouba

For Law

#2068 in the World

Enrollment: 16,315

66. Lagos State University

For Law

#12 in Nigeria

#2092 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

67. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Law

#2115 in the World

Enrollment: 99,300

68. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Law

#4 in Kenya

#2123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

69. University for Development Studies

For Law

#4 in Ghana

#2204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1992

70. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Law

#11 in Egypt

#2224 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

71. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Law

#13 in Nigeria

#2230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 17,672
Founded: 1981

72. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Law

#14 in Nigeria

#2249 in the World

Founded: 1992

73. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Law

#1 in Sudan

#2267 in the World

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

74. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Law

#2293 in the World

75. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Law

#2314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

76. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Law

#15 in Nigeria

#2332 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

77. Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Egypt | Alexandria

For Law

#12 in Egypt

#2383 in the World

Enrollment: 18,000
Founded: 1972

78. Vaal University of Technology

South Africa | Vanderbijlpark

For Law

#19 in South Africa

#2385 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1966

79. University of Venda

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Law

#20 in South Africa

#2391 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

80. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Law

#16 in Nigeria

#2393 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

81. Al-Azhar University

For Law

#13 in Egypt

#2402 in the World

Founded: 1961

82. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Law

#2416 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Founded: 1991

83. Minia University

For Law

#14 in Egypt

#2464 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

84. University of Uyo

For Law

#17 in Nigeria

#2497 in the World

Founded: 1991

85. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Law

#2501 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

86. Bayero University Kano

For Law

#18 in Nigeria

#2503 in the World

Founded: 1975

87. Benha University

For Law

#15 in Egypt

#2513 in the World

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

88. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Law

#1 in Mozambique

#2526 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

89. Haramaya University

Ethiopia | Haramaya

For Law

#2527 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1954

90. Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

For Law

#5 in Ghana

#2531 in the World

Founded: 1961

91. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Law

#19 in Nigeria

#2542 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

92. Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Uganda | Mbarara

For Law

#2 in Uganda

#2585 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1989

93. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Law

#6 in Ghana

#2622 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

94. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Law

#2652 in the World

Founded: 1918

95. Ibn Tofail University

Morocco | Kenitra

For Law

#2700 in the World

Enrollment: 22,270
Male:Female: 52:48

96. University of Jos

For Law

#20 in Nigeria

#2724 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,169
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1975

97. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa | Mthatha

For Law

#21 in South Africa

#2741 in the World

Enrollment: 27,039
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 2005

98. Hawassa University

Ethiopia | Awasa

For Law

#2752 in the World

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

99. Namibia University of Science and Technology

Namibia | Windhoek

For Law

#2770 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1985

100. University of Annaba

Algeria | Annaba

For Law

#2785 in the World

Enrollment: 8,443

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Anthropology227

Broadcast Journalism40

Classics and Ancient History76

Communications and Public Relations170

Criminology and Criminal Justice49

Early Childhood Education37

Education Majors190

Forensic Science47

Gender Studies85

Human Rights Law50

Intellectual Property and Patent Law25

International Law44

International Relations and Diplomacy27

Journalism and Digital Media51

Law Enforcement37

Library and Information science85

Media Studies37

Military science19

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution28

Occupational Safety and Health50

Political Economy48

Political Science351

Public Policy / Administration95

Radio and Television broadcasting65

Special Education24

Sports / Exercise science21

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies169

Urban and Regional planning29