Namibia has announced a bold move to make higher education fully free at public universities and technical colleges from 2026, in a sweeping reform aimed at expanding access for young people and addressing long-standing inequality in the education sector.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made the declaration during her first State of the Nation Address on Thursday, less than a month after assuming office as the country’s first female head of state.
“From the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100/percent subsidized by the government,” she told lawmakers, describing the move as a direct response to the voices of young Namibians calling for change.
The policy will see the removal of both tuition and registration fees at all public higher learning institutions. This includes the country’s two state-run universities and its seven government-operated vocational training centres.
Namibia already offers free primary and secondary education in public schools, though families often bear additional costs such as uniforms, books, and accommodation. The extension of government support to the tertiary level represents a significant deepening of that commitment.
For many Namibian youth—over two million of whom are under the age of 35, according to national statistics—accessing university or vocational training has remained out of reach due to financial constraints. The new policy aims to change that.
“We have heard your cries,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, emphasizing that education is critical to tackling poverty and youth unemployment. With joblessness particularly high among young people, the government is positioning education as a key pillar of national development.
The initiative has been welcomed by students and education advocates, many of whom have long campaigned for a more equitable system. Details of the policy’s rollout, including how the subsidies will be financed, are expected to be released in the coming months.
As Namibia joins other African nations pursuing universal access to higher education, all eyes will be on Windhoek to see how the country implements one of its most ambitious education reforms to date.