Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has announced that public university and technical college education will be free from 2026. Speaking during her first State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening, President Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country’s first female head of state, said students would no longer pay registration or tuition fees at public institutions.
Primary and secondary education in Namibia is already free, and this new measure extends the government’s commitment to affordable education. However, the president clarified that there would not be “significant” additional funding to support the initiative, raising concerns about its sustainability. Instead, existing subsidies to public universities and allocations to the student financial assistance fund will finance the new policy.
The move responds directly to calls from students who have long protested against the high cost of tertiary education, famously using the slogan “Fees Must Fall” a phrase that gained momentum in South Africa and Namibia alike. “We have heard your cries: ‘the Fees have Fallen’,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, signaling solidarity with students.
While tuition will be free, families and students will still be responsible for accommodation and related expenses. The rollout will be gradual, allowing institutions time to adjust to the new funding model.
However, critics have already voiced concerns about the plan’s viability and inclusivity. Previous student aid systems in Namibia faced criticism for excluding the “missing middle” students considered too wealthy to qualify for aid yet too poor to afford full tuition. Without a major increase in funding, some worry that universities might face financial strain or that quality could suffer.
Nonetheless, the announcement marks a historic shift in Namibia’s education policy and offers hope to thousands of young people seeking higher education opportunities. As the country prepares for implementation, the focus will now shift to how universities adapt and how the government ensures the promise of free education becomes a lasting reality.
