University of Nairobi Retains Global Standing in 2026 World University Rankings
The University of Nairobi maintained its place among the world’s top research universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. The university appears in the 1501+ band with an overall score range of 10.3 to 27.2. It is one of only two Kenyan universities to feature in the global list, alongside Kenyatta University. The 2026 rankings evaluated 2,191 institutions from 115 countries and territories, measuring performance across teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.
UoN performance:
According to the newly released 2026 results, UoN recorded the following scores across THE’s five key performance pillars:
- Teaching: 15.9
- Research Environment: 16.1
- Research Quality: 39.7
- Industry: 22.5
- International Outlook: 49.4
The University of Nairobi recorded its strongest performance in International Outlook, scoring 49.4. This reflects its growing global partnerships, international collaborations, and the ability to attract staff and students from abroad. The score highlights UoN’s expanding visibility on the global academic stage and the depth of its research networks.
Research Quality emerged as the second-strongest pillar at 39.7, showing that UoN’s publications are gaining international recognition and being cited by other scholars. This suggests that the university’s research continues to contribute to global knowledge and innovation.
In Research Environment, the university scored 16.1, while in Teaching it achieved 15.9. These results show areas that need additional investment in postgraduate training, academic staffing, and research facilities to strengthen the learning and research environment. The Industry pillar stood at 22.5, pointing to moderate collaboration with business and innovation sectors. Enhancing partnerships with industry could further bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application.
Across Africa, universities in South Africa and Egypt continue to lead the continental rankings. Still, the University of Nairobi remains among the top-tier institutions driving academic and research excellence in the region. Its consistent inclusion in the global rankings affirms its relevance and resilience amid rising competition.
Overall, the 2026 results reaffirm the University of Nairobi’s position as Kenya’s top-ranked institution and one of Africa’s consistently performing universities. The University of Nairobi’s performance demonstrates strength in internationalization and research impact. Continued focus on improving the quality of teaching, research infrastructure, and industry linkages will be key to achieving higher scores and advancing its global position in future rankings.
