Best Universities for Public Policy / Administration 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 Public Policy / Administration. A graph of 122K citations received by 23.3K academic papers made by 95 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 the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in South Africa

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

2. University of Cape Town

South Africa | Cape Town

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in South Africa

#135 in the World

Founded: 1874

3. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Public Policy / Administration

#3 in South Africa

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

4. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Public Policy / Administration

#4 in South Africa

#258 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

5. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Public Policy / Administration

#5 in South Africa

#271 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

6. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Public Policy / Administration

#6 in South Africa

#272 in the World

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

7. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Public Policy / Administration

#7 in South Africa

#297 in the World

Founded: 1918

8. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Nigeria

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1948

9. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Public Policy / Administration

#8 in South Africa

#340 in the World

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

10. Obafemi Awolowo University

Nigeria | Ife

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Nigeria

#353 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Founded: 1962

11. University of Ghana

Ghana | Legon

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Ghana

#358 in the World

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

12. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Public Policy / Administration

#9 in South Africa

#386 in the World

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

13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Public Policy / Administration

#3 in Nigeria

#402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

14. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Botswana

#424 in the World

Founded: 1964

15. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Public Policy / Administration

#10 in South Africa

#464 in the World

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

16. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Public Policy / Administration

#4 in Nigeria

#483 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

17. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Uganda

#508 in the World

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

18. Covenant University

Nigeria | Ota

For Public Policy / Administration

#5 in Nigeria

#518 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

19. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Public Policy / Administration

#6 in Nigeria

#538 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

20. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Public Policy / Administration

#11 in South Africa

#595 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

21. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Kenya

#618 in the World

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

22. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Public Policy / Administration

#7 in Nigeria

#625 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1962

23. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Public Policy / Administration

#8 in Nigeria

#649 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

24. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Zimbabwe

#691 in the World

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

25. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Public Policy / Administration

#9 in Nigeria

#723 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1975

26. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Public Policy / Administration

#12 in South Africa

#741 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

27. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Nigeria | Umuahia

For Public Policy / Administration

#10 in Nigeria

#747 in the World

Enrollment: 20,000
Founded: 1992

28. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nigeria | Awka

For Public Policy / Administration

#11 in Nigeria

#761 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1991

29. Lagos State University

Nigeria | Ojo

For Public Policy / Administration

#12 in Nigeria

#796 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

30. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Public Policy / Administration

#13 in Nigeria

#824 in the World

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

31. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Public Policy / Administration

#14 in Nigeria

#848 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

32. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ghana | Kumasi

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Ghana

#860 in the World

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

33. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Ethiopia

#868 in the World

Founded: 1950

34. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Tanzania

#869 in the World

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

35. University of Malawi

Malawi | Zomba

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Malawi

#882 in the World

Founded: 1964

36. University of Fort Hare

South Africa | Alice

For Public Policy / Administration

#13 in South Africa

#890 in the World

Founded: 1916

37. Babcock University

Nigeria | Ilishan-Remo

For Public Policy / Administration

#15 in Nigeria

#918 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1999

38. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Public Policy / Administration

#14 in South Africa

#922 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

39. Abia State University

Nigeria | Uturu

For Public Policy / Administration

#16 in Nigeria

#978 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

40. University of Jos

Nigeria | Jos

For Public Policy / Administration

#17 in Nigeria

#990 in the World

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

41. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Public Policy / Administration

#18 in Nigeria

#1001 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

42. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Public Policy / Administration

#19 in Nigeria

#1002 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1990

43. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Public Policy / Administration

#20 in Nigeria

#1008 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

44. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Zambia

#1011 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

45. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Public Policy / Administration

#21 in Nigeria

#1037 in the World

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

46. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Public Policy / Administration

#15 in South Africa

#1047 in the World

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

47. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Public Policy / Administration

#3 in Ghana

#1050 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

48. University of Uyo

Nigeria | Uyo

For Public Policy / Administration

#22 in Nigeria

#1087 in the World

Founded: 1991

49. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Egypt

#1124 in the World

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

50. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Kenya

#1149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

51. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Public Policy / Administration

#23 in Nigeria

#1159 in the World

Founded: 1992

52. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Public Policy / Administration

#24 in Nigeria

#1163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

53. University for Development Studies

Ghana | Tamale

For Public Policy / Administration

#4 in Ghana

#1164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1992

54. Cairo University

Egypt | Giza

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Egypt

#1166 in the World

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

55. Adekunle Ajasin University

Nigeria | Akungba Akoko

For Public Policy / Administration

#25 in Nigeria

#1171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1982

56. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Public Policy / Administration

#16 in South Africa

#1187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

57. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Public Policy / Administration

#3 in Kenya

#1197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

58. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Public Policy / Administration

#17 in South Africa

#1204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

59. Redeemer's University

Nigeria | Ede

For Public Policy / Administration

#26 in Nigeria

#1284 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 2005

60. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Public Policy / Administration

#27 in Nigeria

#1296 in the World

Founded: 2000

61. Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

Ghana | Accra

For Public Policy / Administration

#5 in Ghana

#1299 in the World

Founded: 1961

62. Tai Solarin University of Education

Nigeria | Ijebu-Ode

For Public Policy / Administration

#28 in Nigeria

#1308 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2005

63. Ambrose Alli University

Nigeria | Ekpoma

For Public Policy / Administration

#29 in Nigeria

#1312 in the World

Founded: 1980

64. National University of Lesotho

Lesotho | Maseru

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Lesotho

#1372 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1945

65. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Public Policy / Administration

#4 in Kenya

#1390 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

66. Kogi State University

Nigeria | Anyigba

For Public Policy / Administration

#30 in Nigeria

#1422 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1999

67. Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Nigeria | Enugu

For Public Policy / Administration

#31 in Nigeria

#1430 in the World

Enrollment: 16,092
Male:Female: 57:43
Founded: 1981

68. University of Abuja

Nigeria | Abuja

For Public Policy / Administration

#32 in Nigeria

#1436 in the World

Enrollment: 4,680
Founded: 1988

69. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Public Policy / Administration

#33 in Nigeria

#1447 in the World

Founded: 1975

70. Usmanu Danfodio University

Nigeria | Sokoto

For Public Policy / Administration

#34 in Nigeria

#1449 in the World

Founded: 1975

71. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

Nigeria | Uli

For Public Policy / Administration

#35 in Nigeria

#1450 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Founded: 2000

72. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Public Policy / Administration

#18 in South Africa

#1451 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Founded: 2005

73. Imo State University

Nigeria | Owerri

For Public Policy / Administration

#36 in Nigeria

#1460 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1981

74. Landmark University

Nigeria | Omu-Aran

For Public Policy / Administration

#37 in Nigeria

#1478 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 2011

75. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Ethiopia

#1485 in the World

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

76. Osun State University

Nigeria | Osogbo

For Public Policy / Administration

#38 in Nigeria

#1487 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Founded: 2007

77. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Nigeria | Owerri

For Public Policy / Administration

#39 in Nigeria

#1488 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1980

78. Benue State University

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Public Policy / Administration

#40 in Nigeria

#1494 in the World

Founded: 1992

79. University of Venda

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Public Policy / Administration

#19 in South Africa

#1510 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

80. Bayero University Kano

Nigeria | Kano

For Public Policy / Administration

#41 in Nigeria

#1525 in the World

Founded: 1975

81. University of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone | Freetown

For Public Policy / Administration

#1 in Sierra Leone

#1528 in the World

Founded: 2005

82. Modibbo Adama University of Technology

Nigeria | Yola

For Public Policy / Administration

#42 in Nigeria

#1529 in the World

Founded: 1988

83. Mzumbe University

Tanzania | Morogoro

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Tanzania

#1556 in the World

Founded: 2003

84. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Nigeria | Makurdi

For Public Policy / Administration

#43 in Nigeria

#1565 in the World

Founded: 1988

85. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Public Policy / Administration

#6 in Ghana

#1572 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

86. Niger Delta University

Nigeria | Wilberforce Island

For Public Policy / Administration

#44 in Nigeria

#1573 in the World

Founded: 2000

87. Midlands State University

Zimbabwe | Gweru

For Public Policy / Administration

#2 in Zimbabwe

#1599 in the World

Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 2000

88. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

Nigeria | Oye-Ekiti

For Public Policy / Administration

#45 in Nigeria

#1615 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Founded: 2011

89. Kaduna State University

Nigeria | Kaduna

For Public Policy / Administration

#46 in Nigeria

#1636 in the World

Founded: 2004

90. Nasarawa State University

Nigeria | Keffi

For Public Policy / Administration

#47 in Nigeria

#1639 in the World

Founded: 2002

91. Federal University of Technology, Minna

Nigeria | Minna

For Public Policy / Administration

#48 in Nigeria

#1646 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1982

92. Federal University, Lafia

Nigeria | Lafia

For Public Policy / Administration

#49 in Nigeria

#1656 in the World

Founded: 2011

93. Gombe State University

Nigeria | Gombe

For Public Policy / Administration

#50 in Nigeria

#1658 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Founded: 2004

94. Kwara State University

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Public Policy / Administration

#51 in Nigeria

#1666 in the World

Founded: 2009

95. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Nigeria | Bauchi

For Public Policy / Administration

#52 in Nigeria

#1667 in the World

Founded: 1988

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Broadcast Journalism40

Classics and Ancient History76

Communications and Public Relations170

Criminology and Criminal Justice49

Demography303

Early Childhood Education37

Intellectual Property and Patent Law25

International Law44

International Relations and Diplomacy27

Journalism and Digital Media51

Law349

Law Enforcement37

Library and Information science85

Linguistics306

Media Studies37

Military science19

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution28

Occupational Safety and Health50

Radio and Television broadcasting65

Social Work33

Sociology352

Special Education24

Sports / Exercise science21

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies169

Urban and Regional planning29