Namibia’s newly elected President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, recently announced that her government will introduce free higher education at all state universities and technical colleges starting 2026.

As the nation’s first female president, her bold initiative aims to eliminate registration and tuition fees at all public universities and technical colleges, which marks a significant shift in the country’s education policy and is expected to reshape access to higher learning.

During her maiden State of the Nation Address on the evening of the 24th of April, 2025, Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed lawmakers with a bold declaration: “Students will pay no registration [or] tuition fees at all public universities and technical colleges,” she said, signaling a major financial relief for many Namibian families.

The president emphasized that free higher education will be phased in gradually, ensuring a manageable transition for the country’s education system. However, students and families will still be responsible for covering accommodation and other related costs.

“The only contribution as families and students for now will be towards accommodation and other related costs,” she clarified.

To fund the initiative, the government intends to redirect existing subsidies given to some of Namibia’s public universities and repurpose allocations from the student financial assistance fund. But President Nandi-Ndaitwah admitted that the budget will not see significant additional funding.

“If we are going to add, we are not going to add a significant [amount of funds],” she noted, raising concerns about how the policy will be sustainably implemented.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement comes amid long-standing demands from student movements calling for reduced tertiary education costs.

In a clear nod to these protests, she declared: “We have heard your cries: ‘the Fees have Fallen’.” This phrase directly references the #FeesMustFall movement that originated in South Africa, where similar protests led to an overhaul of university tuition policies. However, South Africa’s reforms were criticized for only benefiting a small portion of students, particularly those from low-income households—while many middle-class students remained unable to afford tuition.

While some student organizations have welcomed the president’s announcement, others have expressed skepticism, questioning whether the plan is practical given the limited financial allocations. The Affirmative Repositioning Student Command (ARSC) dismissed the announcement as politically motivated, arguing that it lacked a solid plan for implementation.

“There is no plan, it is just a confused announcement,” the ARSC stated, questioning which students would qualify and whether postgraduates would also benefit. Similarly, economist Tannen Groenewald warned that scrapping tuition fees without allocating additional resources could result in student numbers being capped, making higher education less accessible to those outside low-income brackets.

South Africa also faced similar challenges in 2017, when the government scrapped university fees following intense protests—but the policy was later criticized for being too restrictive, particularly excluding middle-class students, often referred to as the “missing middle.” As Namibia embarks on this ambitious journey, all eyes will be on how effectively the restructured financial model can scale up without sacrificing the quality of education.

The administration’s task is not only to remove tuition burdens but also to ensure that the academic institutions are equipped to handle an influx of new students while maintaining rigorous academic standards. With the plan set to roll out from 2026, the Namibian government will need to address concerns about funding and accessibility to ensure that free higher education does not inadvertently limit student enrollment.

As policymakers refine the details, student organizations and education experts will likely push for greater transparency regarding eligibility and financial structuring. Despite lingering uncertainties, President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement marks a historic moment in Namibia’s education sector. The initiative, if successful, could inspire neighboring countries to reconsider and potentially reform their own higher education funding models, leading to a broader movement for educational accessibility across Africa.

For the millions of Namibian youth who have long seen education as a pathway out of economic hardship, this promise of tuition-free university education is more than just a policy shift—it is a lifeline that could unlock untapped potential and drive the nation toward long-term prosperity. Whether the policy will fulfill it’s ambitious promise remains to be seen—but it signals a clear effort to make higher education more accessible to all.