Inequality and African universities: challenges and pathways to change

Higher education in Africa holds great promise for social mobility and development, yet remains shaped by deep-rooted inequalities. Colonial legacies, resource constraints, and structural barriers in the global academic system continue to marginalize African scholars and limit access to quality education. Despite these challenges, African universities are actively driving change through student movements, institutional reforms, and continent-wide initiatives that promote African-led research. This article explores how historical and structural inequalities persist in African higher education while highlighting vital locally driven efforts to decolonize curricula, build research capacity, and forge more equitable global partnerships. It concludes with a call to action for actors worldwide to engage in meaningful collaboration—supporting African leadership, amplifying African knowledge systems, and helping unlock higher education’s transformative potential across the continent.