Addis Ababa University has been ranked the top university in East Africa under the latest QS World University Rankings, reaffirming its position as Ethiopia’s leading higher education institution and one of the region’s most influential academic centres.

In the 2026 edition of the global rankings, the university was placed in the 851–900 band worldwide, maintaining its presence among ranked institutions despite intensified global competition. Within East Africa, it emerged ahead of peers from Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

QS World University Rankings assess institutions based on teaching quality, research output, academic reputation, employer perception, international engagement and citation impact. The methodology also measures how universities are recognised beyond their national borders, giving weight to regional and global visibility.

According to the latest results, four East African universities secured regional distinction. Addis Ababa University ranked first, followed by Makerere University of Uganda in second place. The University of Nairobi placed third, while the University of Khartoum ranked fourth.

The recognition comes as Addis Ababa University marks its seventy-fifth anniversary. Established in 1950, the institution is Ethiopia’s oldest university and remains the backbone of the country’s higher education and research system.

The university operates across fourteen campuses, offering more than 70 undergraduate programmes and nearly 300 postgraduate programmes, including over 70 doctoral tracks. Student enrollment stands at close to 50,000, supported by more than 6,000 staff, including over 2,400 academic faculty members.

Business Insider Africa reported that Addis Ababa University’s sustained investment in research capacity and postgraduate education has strengthened its academic footprint well beyond Ethiopia, enabling it to play a central role in shaping higher education standards across East Africa.