The University of Nairobi (UoN) has been recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions, securing Elite status in the UNIRANKS 2026 World University Rankings.
This prestigious distinction places UoN among the top 420 universities globally, marking a significant achievement for the institution as the only Kenyan university to earn this accolade.
It also joins an exclusive group of just three African universities alongside the University of Cape Town in South Africa and Cairo University in Egypt to earn Elite status.
This recognition enhances UoN’s international reputation, positioning it as a continental leader in higher education. The university now ranks in the top one per cent of universities worldwide, underscoring its excellence in teaching, research, and global influence.
UNIRANKS uses a comprehensive, student-centred evaluation methodology that assesses universities based on factors such as teaching quality, graduate employability, student experience, research impact, innovation, and institutional credibility.
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More than 37,000 universities were reviewed for the 2026 rankings, with only 14,339 receiving official verification. Of these, only 420 institutions, including UoN, earned Elite University status, a testament to their verified quality and global standing.
In the broader UNIRANKS 2026 World University Rankings, the University of Nairobi holds the 952nd spot globally and is ranked 14th in Africa with a score of 77.35.
The university leads in Kenya, surpassing Kenyatta University (2,015th globally, 47th in Africa) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (2,176th globally, 59th in Africa).
UoN also tops the East African region, ahead of Makerere University (988th globally, 17th in Africa) and the University of Dar es Salaam (1,588th globally, 32nd in Africa).
This recognition reinforces the University of Nairobi’s standing as the premier institution in Kenya and a top destination for students, scholars, and international partners.
By Obegi Malack
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