Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes in Guinea was last measured in 2014 at 10.85%. That same year, the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 92.26%. The initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was measured in 2012 at 224.18%.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not free in Guinea. National tuition fees may range from GNF 7 to 17 million.
Tuition payments are the largest source of expenditure for households with students attending university. Tuition accounts for over a third of household expenditures for students enrolled in public universities; half the total household expenditures for students enrolled in private universities in Conakry; and over 63 percent for students in private universities outside of Conakry.
Governance
The Ministry for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (MESRS) governs and finances higher education institutions. Within the ministry, the Financial Affairs Division, the Public Procurement Unit, and the National Agency for the Financing and Promotion of Research and Innovation play a part in the funding of universities. Universities are considered autonomous bodies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Funds are not transferred to a subnational level prior to reaching higher education institutions. They are distributed directly to the institutions, which report back to the central services.
Guinea’s education funding is highly centralized, and the budget is disconnected from sectoral goals. Planning and programmatic budgeting begins with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Planning. The Ministry for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (MESRS), like other sector ministries, only provides feedback.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
As of 2025, there are 17 public tertiary institutions and 39 private institutions. Private institutions receive subsidies.
Allocation and equity
Higher education financing is determined based on historical numbers of staff and students. Higher education institutions directly negotiate their budget allocation with the Ministry of Finance, and the amount allocated to the institutions is based on student numbers rather than programs.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
University placements for high school graduates is handled by the online platform Parcoursup Guinée (previously GUPOL). Students rank up to 15 programmes they wish to join. They are then assigned to a programme based on their qualifications and the number of spaces in the programme. If a student is not accepted into any of their top-choice programmes, they are referred to a programme close to their home.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Of the total higher education spending in 2016, 65% was devoted to the share of scholarships and other transfers. Of this amount, 65% went to students in public institutions. Scholarships and financial aid go primarily to students who are pursuing fields with higher employability.
Previously, the state covered the tuition fees of students referred to private universities by the government to help compensate for the limited capacity of public universities. From 2006 to 2017, the state also offered these students scholarships and maintenance grants. The programme ended in order to encourage more attendance at the public universities. Nowadays, students must apply for a national scholarship. The status of a “scholarship student” entitles the student to tuition exemption and a monthly maintenance grant. Students must apply for renewal yearly. Scholarship students must regularly attend classes and maintain good grades.
The government also funds scholarships for certain fields. Decree A/2022/037/MESRI/SGG called for the financing of Master's and Doctoral degrees in the field of education through the “1000 PhDs and 5000 Master's Programme”. Applications from women are strongly encouraged.
Additionally, the Ministry has pledged to allow the first three students in each bachelor’s degree programme to continue their studies in a master’s degree programme free of charge.
In 2012, the Guinean government allocated GNF 175 billion for scholarships and direct transfers to students in higher education: half of current expenditures for higher education. Over 87,000 students benefited from this type of financial support (96% of students at public universities, and 89% of students at private universities).
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No Information was found.
Accommodation
Most public universities do not have dormitories to house students. Universities which have dormitories have an overcrowding issue (Kankan, Hafia). The University of Labé charges students GNF 10,000 a month for space in the dormitories, which is much lower than the cost of housing outside the university. No information was found on government support for student accommodation.
Textbooks
No Information was found.
