Namibia to offer free university education from 2026 in bold education reform

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA

Namibia will eliminate tuition and registration fees at all public universities and technical colleges starting in 2026, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced, fulfilling a key campaign promise despite concerns over funding and implementation.  

President Nandi-Ndaitwah [Image: Reuters]

The country’s first female president made the declaration during her maiden state of the nation address last Thursday, framing the move as a response to years of student demands.  

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the policy would be introduced gradually, with families and students initially covering only accommodation and ancillary costs. However, she acknowledged there would be no "significant" increase in funding, leaving questions about long-term feasibility.   

"We have heard your cries: 'the Fees have Fallen,'" she said, referencing student protests in Namibia and neighboring South Africa. Primary and secondary education in Namibia is already free.  

The government will allocate N$5 billion (approx. $270 million) annually to the initiative, which aligns with the ruling Swapo party’s 2023 manifesto. The party aims to fully abolish tuition at public higher education and vocational training (TVET) institutions by 2028.  

The University of Namibia (Unam) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) said they have not yet received formal plans for implementation.  

“The university has not yet received detailed communication regarding the operational framework of the subsidy,” Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho told The Namibian, while welcoming the policy. He emphasized the need for structured consultations ahead of 2026 to ensure academic quality and access.  

Nust’s Nashilongo Gervasius said costs and logistics remain unclear pending government discussions. “We stand ready to engage further once details are available,” she said.  

While some student groups applauded the announcement, others dismissed it as politically motivated. The Affirmative Repositioning Student Command (ARSC) called it a “confused announcement” lacking clarity on eligibility and funding.  

Economist Tannen Groenewald warned that without additional funding, enrollment caps or income-based restrictions—similar to South Africa’s post-#FeesMustFall system—could follow.  

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah called the move bold but noted Namibia’s struggles to fully fund basic education, citing 2022 budget cuts to pupil grants and learning materials.  

The policy mirrors South Africa’s limited free education model, which excluded the “missing middle”—students ineligible for aid but unable to afford fees. Critics fear Namibia may face similar challenges.