Namibia will begin offering free tertiary education at public universities and technical colleges starting in 2026. The announcement was made on Thursday by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her first State of the Nation address to Parliament.
Speaking passionately before lawmakers, Nandi-Ndaitwah—who last month became Namibia’s first woman president—said the government would fully subsidize higher education costs from the next academic year.
“I am pleased to announce that from the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100% subsidized by the government,” she declared, drawing applause from the chamber.
Currently, Namibian public education is tuition-free at the primary and secondary levels, although families often still bear the cost of school supplies and boarding. This new policy will extend financial relief to university and college students by eliminating tuition and registration fees entirely.
“We have heard your cries,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, acknowledging the long-standing calls from citizens for accessible education at all levels. “This policy is not just about education; it’s about investing in the future of our youth, reducing poverty, and tackling the high rates of youth unemployment that have plagued our country.”
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Namibia, a southern African nation of approximately 3 million people, has a predominantly young population, with over 2.1 million citizens under the age of 35. For years, students and civil society groups have called for free higher education,citing financial barriers that keep many qualified youth from attending university or vocational training programs.
Under the new plan, two state-run universities and all seven of the country’s government-operated vocational training centers will stop charging tuition fees, opening the doors wider to students from low-income families and rural communities.
The president’s announcement marks a significant shift in education policy and signals a broader commitment to social development. It’s a promise that could transform the prospects of thousands of young Namibians—and a step that places Namibia among a small but growing list of countries prioritizing fully subsidized higher education as a national right.
