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)
In 2022, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education (both sexes) was 3%.
Tuition-free status
Tertiary education is not tuition-free.
Governance
The Ministry of Education was restructured into two separate ministries: the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), the latter of which is responsible for higher education governance and funding. Public colleges and universities were allocated 28% of the education sector budget in 2025/26.
The National Council for Higher Education is responsible for the accreditation of both public and private institutions.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher education institutions receive funding directly from the central government.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
The country’s legislation permits private higher education providers to operate in the system (not government funded), with the National Council for Higher Education maintaining a register of all private institutions.
Allocation and equity
There is no proper formula or well-defined criteria followed by the Ministry of Higher Education in the allocation of financial resources to public higher education institutions, except for a consideration of the student population.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
In order to meet policy objectives and ensure gender equality in education, the government supports affirmative action policies in the admission process of public universities. The National Council for Higher Education specifically utilizes affirmative action when selecting students into various public universities with the aim to increase access for girls, students with disabilities and students with albinism.
According to the 2014 Gender Equality Act, the government is required to take active measures to ensure the enrolment of either gender to a minimum of 40% and a maximum of 60% of tertiary education students.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board was established in 2015 to oversee and provide grants and loans to less privileged and financially disadvantaged students who cannot afford the payment of the fees in public and private accredited universities.
Tuition loans are provided to financially disadvantaged students admitted to accredited institutions. These students must not have attended an elite school unless there is evidence of ‘neediness’. Student grants are based on academic performance, although they must take into consideration gender balance as provided in the 2014 Gender Equality Act.
Open distance and e-Learning student loans are also provided to vulnerable students with the support of the World Bank, which focus on supporting access to skills development programmes in higher education.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Loans and grants do not support the transportation of higher education students.
Accommodation
Upkeep loans may be awarded by the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board to financially disadvantaged students to support costs in accommodation and living expenses.
Textbooks
There is no government support for the purchase of student textbooks.
This profile has been reviewed by Fatsani T. Kafumbu, Regional Manager – Southern Africa, Ubongo International.
