Namibia to Offer Free Higher Education from 2026, President Nandi-Ndaitwah Announces
Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has declared that her government will fully subsidize higher education at all state universities and vocational colleges beginning in 2026. The historic announcement was made during her first State of the Nation address to Parliament on Thursday.
“I am pleased to announce that from the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100% subsidized by the government,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country’s first female president, who was sworn in just last month.
The new policy builds on Namibia’s existing free public primary and secondary education system and responds to longstanding public demand for broader educational support. While uniforms and other non-tuition costs may remain, tuition and registration fees at state-run institutions will be eliminated.
With youth unemployment and poverty high, the president emphasized the policy’s focus on equity and opportunity, especially for the country’s large young population—over 2 million Namibians are under 35.
The change will affect two government-run universities and all seven of Namibia’s public vocational training center.