Namibia’s First Woman President Has Made All Public Universities Free For Students Starting From 2026
The decision will cover two public universities and all seven government-run training centers in the country.
Namibia has made public universities free for all students starting from 2026.
Namibia already provides free education at public primary and secondary schools, but on April 24, Namibia’s first woman president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced in her first speech to parliament that starting in 2026, students will no longer have to pay tuition or registration fees at public universities and technical colleges.
“We have heard your cries,” she said to young people during her address, adding that the move will help create more opportunities for Namibia’s large youth population, especially as the country struggles with high rates of unemployment.
About 2.1 million of Namibia’s three million people are under the age of 35, according to AP.
The decision will cover two public universities and all seven government-run training centers in the country, according to Africa Briefing.
She said the money for the tuition would come from existing subsidies to public universities and money allocated to the student financial assistance fund.
However, she said there would not be "significant" extra funding.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the scheme will be introduced gradually, and families and students will only need to cover accommodation and other related expenses.
The move comes as more people in Namibia, including civil society groups and student unions, have been pushing for free education to fight economic inequality.
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