UCT ranks eighth in the world for SDG 17

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) contribution to sustainable development has once again been recognised on the global stage, placing among the world’s top 100 institutions in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Rankings. UCT has achieved a total of nine top 100 performances across the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UCT submitted evidence for 16 of the 17 SDGs and improved its performance in 11 goals compared with the previous year, demonstrating broad-based progress across social, economic, environmental and governance-related areas of impact. The university’s strongest result was in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), where it ranked eighth globally – a mammoth improvement from last year’s ranking in the 101–200 band.

THE’s Impact Rankings assess how universities contribute to the SDGs through their research, teaching, stewardship and engagement with society. At UCT, this contribution is evident not only in policy and reporting, but in practical interventions that address real-world challenges in South Africa and across the continent.

“Excellence is measured not only by the knowledge an institution creates, but by the difference that knowledge makes.”

Unlike traditional rankings that focus primarily on academic reputation and research performance, the Impact Rankings seek to measure the context-specific and globally relevant contribution universities make towards addressing cross-cutting challenges such as poverty, health, education, inequality, environmental sustainability and good governance.

“Ultimately, the Impact Rankings recognise something fundamental about the role of a university in the 21st century: excellence is measured not only by the knowledge an institution creates, but by the difference that knowledge makes,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela. “For UCT, this means advancing a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for South Africa, the African continent and the world.”

While the SDGs provide a global framework for sustainable development, UCT’s work is deeply rooted in African realities and priorities. This is reflected in initiatives such as the African Climate and Development Initiative’s (ACDI) heat adaptation project, which is testing heat-reflective roof paint to cool homes and protect the health of low-income communities in the face of rising temperatures, both in South Africa and Ghana. .

Across the continent, universities are increasingly recognised as important contributors to the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the African Union’s blueprint for inclusive growth, sustainable development and social progress.

UCT’s improvements were evident across the broad sustainability themes that underpin the SDGs: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership.

Advancing human development and inclusion

In the People dimension, which encompasses poverty, health, education and gender equality, UCT recorded significant gains in SDG 1 (No Poverty), ranking 50th in the world for this indicator. In addition, UCT tied at 64th position for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and further ranked in the 101–200 band for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). These achievements are underpinned by the university’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting student success.

This includes the provision of gap funding for students who do not qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), with a total of R371.3 million awarded through more than 4 300 scholarships in 2024. This support extended to 762 international and refugee students, reflecting UCT’s inclusive and globally engaged approach to human development.

Driving inclusive growth and innovation

The Prosperity theme, which focuses on economic development, innovation, inequality and sustainable communities, also showed positive momentum. UCT improved its performance in both SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) while placing in the top 100 worldwide in both SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), where UCT ranked 90th, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) tied at 82nd place. Together, these indicators demonstrate the university’s contribution to inclusive growth and societal advancement.

As the fourth strategic mission of the university, innovation and entrepreneurship are key pillars in addressing pressing societal challenges and advancing socio-economic development.

Access to finance remains one of the greatest barriers facing African innovators and entrepreneurs, directly shaping outcomes in areas such as economic growth, innovation and inequality. Through the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the UCT Graduate School of Business, the university is helping to address this challenge. The centre, which offers a flagship Impact Investing in Africa course, expanded its reach in 2024 by launching the programme in Nairobi, Kenya – marking its first entry into East Africa.

Protecting ecosystems and building climate resilience

Particularly notable were the gains recorded under the Planet dimension, where UCT ranked in the top 100 globally for three SDGs.

UCT ranked 28th globally for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 36th for SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and joint 72nd for SDG 15 (Life on Land), highlighting the university’s contribution to environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

These outcomes are supported by institutional initiatives that embed sustainability within campus operations and community engagement. Through the Khusela Ikamva Sustainable Campus Initiative, UCT is prioritising ecological restoration and environmental stewardship. This includes the Forest Conversations series, which brings together the university community to reflect on and support ongoing efforts to restore areas of the campus affected by the 2021 fires, while also recognising the deep cultural and spiritual connections to the natural environment.

Strengthening governance and justice, and collaborating for impact

Having advanced across nearly every thematic area of assessment, the university also recorded a major improvement in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), ranked 36th.

The strongest performance came under Partnerships. UCT’s rise from the 101–200 band in 2025 to eighth globally in SDG 17 underscores the increasingly collaborative nature of the university’s work. Whether addressing climate change, public health, food security, inequality or biodiversity loss, meaningful progress depends on partnerships that connect universities with governments, communities, industry and civil society.

It is also worth noting that overall, participation fell from 2 318 institutions in 2025 to 1 603 in 2026.

As UCT prepares to host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit later this year, its performance in the Impact Rankings reinforces its role as a globally connected African university contributing locally grounded solutions from Africa to the world.

Read the UCT Sustainability and the SDGs Report 2024 to learn more about how the university is connecting global goals to African priorities.