As African countries compete to strengthen their position on the continent and beyond, universities are increasingly emerging as strategic assets that extend far beyond their traditional educational role.
New data from the 2026 African Performance Index suggests that higher education, research, innovation and the ability to attract talent are becoming key drivers of national influence and long-term competitiveness.
Published by Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, the index ranks the continent’s top 20 performing countries using a methodology based on governance, influence, and innovation.
While governance accounts for half of the overall score, innovation, which includes education levels, the quality of university ecosystems, patents, and start-up funding, represents a quarter of the ranking, reflecting the growing importance of knowledge-based development.
North African countries generally perform well in this area, Julien Wagner, Director of Special Content, Partnerships and Media Diversification at Jeune Afrique Media Group, told Al-Fanar Media.
“The performance of North African countries, with the exception of Libya, is relatively consistent and well above the African average,” he said.
“Whether in education, infrastructure development, start-up fundraising, or patent filings, North African countries almost always rank among the continent’s top 10 on these indicators.”
Morocco and Tunisia
The findings show that North Africa continues to benefit from relatively strong higher education systems and research infrastructure compared with many other parts of the continent.
However, the ranking also highlights significant differences in how countries translate their education systems into broader influence and innovation.
Tunisia has long been a preferred study destination for students from sub-Saharan Africa. According to Wagner, universities and research institutes in both Morocco and Tunisia make a significant contribution to their countries’ influence across the continent.
“Tunisian higher education institutions host many students from sub-Saharan Africa, just as Moroccan universities do,” he said.
Ranked fourth overall in the 2026 index, Morocco has benefited from years of investment in infrastructure, industry, renewable energy and education.
The development of partnerships, research output and higher education policies has helped position Morocco as a hub for academic cooperation and intellectual exchange in Africa.
Its affiliated think tank, the Policy Center for the New South, has also become an influential platform for policy debates on development, governance, and regional cooperation.
Studying abroad builds long-term ties
Cross-border student mobility has become an increasingly important form of soft power. Students who complete their studies abroad often build professional and personal networks that endure for years, strengthening ties between countries and creating long-term channels for cooperation.
The index’s findings indicate that academic influence is becoming an increasingly important dimension of regional leadership. Universities are no longer judged solely by the number of graduates they produce, but also by their ability to attract international students, conduct research, and contribute to continental debates on development and innovation.
While global partnerships remain important, attracting students and researchers from neighboring countries can also strengthen a nation’s regional standing and deepen its ties across Africa.
The 2026 African Performance Index suggests that higher education institutions are no longer simply places of learning. They are increasingly serving as instruments of innovation, diplomacy, and soft power, helping shape countries’ influence and reputation across Africa and beyond.
