News in brief:
– Only one African university, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, made it into the top 100 of the 2025 QS World University Rankings for Agriculture & Forestry.
– While 21 African institutions featured in the top 500, African universities must invest in research, foster international collaboration, and strengthen academic and industry partnerships.
In the 2025 QS World University Rankings for Agriculture & Forestry, only one African tertiary institution made it into the top 100: Stellenbosch University in South Africa, which secured the 93rd position with an overall score of 64.8. It shares this rank with Canada’s Université Laval and the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
According to QS, Stellenbosch earned an academic reputation score of 58.8%, an impressive 82% in citations per paper, 48.9% in employer reputation, and 64.4% for its international research network. These metrics reflect the university’s growing impact in global agricultural research and collaboration.
Across the broader top 500 list, Africa had 21 universities represented. Egypt led the continent with eight institutions, while South Africa followed with six. Kenya and Ghana each had two universities ranked, while Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda had one each. Despite this presence, it is clear that African universities still face challenges in breaking into the top tiers of global rankings.
Topping the global list was Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, a world leader in agricultural innovation. Known for its contributions to agri-food technology and sustainable farming, Wageningen anchors the Netherlands’ global reputation as a hub for food and agricultural research. One of its distinguished alumni is Qu Dongyu, the current Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
In second place is the University of California, Davis, a research powerhouse in the U.S. agricultural landscape. The institution boasts a history of producing influential figures, including Ann Veneman, former US Secretary of Agriculture.
China Agricultural University claimed the fourth spot, standing out as a key player in Asia, where Chinese and Japanese institutions dominate the regional rankings. Asian universities in the top 500 were 156, the highest.
European higher education institutes appeared 143, including popular names like Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (3rd), ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (7th) and Belgium’s Ghent University (8th).
North America had 72 names on the list while Latin America had 55, and Ocenia had 28 with Australia’s The University of Queensland ranked 15th.
Why Rankings Matter—and How African Countries Can Improve
University rankings influence international perception, attract research funding, shape student decisions, and foster global academic partnerships. For African countries, higher representation in global rankings could enhance innovation, draw talent, and contribute to solving food security challenges on the continent.
To improve their standing, African universities and governments must invest in research infrastructure, encourage international collaborations, support academic publishing, and strengthen ties with industry. A commitment to long-term funding and faculty development is also crucial. With the right strategies, Africa can elevate its presence in future rankings and play a leading role in global agricultural transformation.
See full list here.
