Namibia to Introduce Free University and Technical College Education in 2026

In a landmark declaration during her first State of the Nation address, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s newly inaugurated head of state and the country’s first female president, announced the government’s commitment to providing free higher education at public universities and technical colleges starting in the 2026 academic year.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who assumed office last month, told Parliament on Thursday that the government will fully subsidise registration and tuition fees at state-run tertiary institutions.

“I am pleased to announce that from the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100% subsidised by the government,” she stated, emphasising that this policy is rooted in a broader national effort to address youth unemployment and improve access to education.

Namibia, a southern African country of approximately 3 million people, already offers free primary and secondary education in public schools. However, families are still responsible for associated costs such as uniforms, learning materials, and hostel fees. With this new policy, two state-run universities and all seven government-operated vocational training centres will become tuition-free.

Youth-Focused Transformation

The President’s announcement reflects mounting public demand for accessible education across all levels. With 2.1 million Namibians under the age of 35, education reform is seen as crucial to addressing entrenched youth unemployment and poverty.

“We have heard your cries,” Nandi-Ndaitwah told lawmakers, alluding to the growing grassroots demand for free education—a movement inspired in part by South Africa’s #FeesMustFall protests.

While applauding the initiative, the president acknowledged that significant additional funding would not be injected into the system immediately. The initiative will be financed through existing subsidies allocated to tertiary institutions and redirected funds from the national student financial assistance fund.

“If we are going to add [more funding], we are not going to add a significant amount,” she said, stressing a phased rollout and the prioritisation of efficiency within current resources.

Students and families will still be responsible for accommodation and other related living expenses.

Mixed Reactions and Concerns

The announcement has drawn a range of reactions from student bodies and economic analysts. While some hailed it as a victory for educational equity, others expressed concerns over its clarity and feasibility.

The Affirmative Repositioning Student Command (ARSC) criticised the policy as lacking concrete planning. “There is no plan, it is just a confused announcement,” the group stated, questioning whether postgraduate students would be included and how long-term funding would be secured.

Economist Tannen Groenewald, speaking to the Windhoek Observer, warned that without sufficient additional funding, the reform could lead to restrictions in student admissions or a means-tested approach—where only low-income students benefit.

These concerns echo the South African experience, where free tertiary education was introduced in 2017 but eventually narrowed to assist only students from the poorest households. Many from the so-called “missing middle”—those not poor enough to qualify for aid, yet unable to afford university fees—were left out.

A Vision for Inclusive Development

Despite these concerns, President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s pledge signals a significant policy shift and underscores her administration’s intention to position education as a pillar for inclusive national development.

As Namibia looks to implement this ambitious reform, it joins a growing chorus of African nations re-imagining access to education as a public good rather than a privilege, affirming the right of all citizens—especially the youth—to shape their future through knowledge.