The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board -HELSB- is calling for increased private sector investment in student financing to help bridge the funding gap in higher education.

HELSB says 45.3 percent of student financing needs remained unfunded in 2025, highlighting the need for additional sources of funding beyond government support.

HELSB Chief Executive Officer JOHN MACHAYI says banks, pension funds, insurance companies and asset managers can play a greater role in financing higher education.

Dr. MACHAYI says expanding the financing base will help increase access to higher education and provide Zambia with the skilled workforce needed for economic growth.

Speaking at the Zambia Capital Market Conference and Awards in Livingstone, Dr. MACHAYI, who is also President of the Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies, said investment in student financing allows young people to acquire qualifications and enter the labour market.

He said HELSB’s annual disbursements increased from about 558 million Kwacha in 2021 to 1.8 billion Kwacha in 2025, while its loan portfolio grew to more than 10 billion Kwacha by June 2026.

Dr. MACHAYI has called on commercial banks to develop education-financing products tailored to the needs of working families.

He proposed financing options such as salary-linked repayments, staged payments based on verified university costs, and loans covering tuition, accommodation and learning materials.

Dr. MACHAYI said having a salary does not necessarily mean parents can meet university expenses when payments fall due.

He has also encouraged pension funds, insurers and asset managers to consider investing in structured education-financing arrangements.

Dr. MACHAYI said possible financing models could include bonds, social bonds and other investment instruments, but clarified that no bond issuance or investment commitment has been announced.

He said improved loan recovery will be important in building investor confidence.

HELSB recovered about 233.8 million Kwacha in 2025 and 129.9 million Kwacha during the first half of 2026, while the number of beneficiaries repaying their loans increased to more than 22,000 by June 2026.

Dr. MACHAYI has urged employers and beneficiaries to make timely repayments, saying recovered funds are used to support other students.

He said financial barriers could prevent young people from acquiring the skills needed for Zambia’s future development.

Dr. MACHAYI said he will prepare a concept proposal for consideration by the HELSB Board and engage relevant government authorities on possible financing options.

This is according to a statement issued to the media by HELSB Manager Corporate Affairs CHISELWA KAWANDA.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Hot this week

DEC Unearths Suspected Counterfeit Fertiliser Plant October 1, 2026 0 The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has uncovered a plant... General News

Business community tipped on ZRA voluntary disclosure October 1, 2026 0 Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe has urged the... Health

Government calls for healthcare protection October 1, 2026 0 Government has called on citizens, the private sector and... General News

Chisamba family left homeless after fire October 1, 2026 0 A family of four in Chisamba District has been... General News

Mob beating claims life of suspected burglary suspect in Petauke October 1, 2026 0 A 28-year-old man has died after allegedly being beaten...

Topics

DEC Unearths Suspected Counterfeit Fertiliser Plant 0 The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has uncovered a plant... General News

Business community tipped on ZRA voluntary disclosure 0 Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe has urged the... Health

Government calls for healthcare protection 0 Government has called on citizens, the private sector and... General News

Chisamba family left homeless after fire 0 A family of four in Chisamba District has been... General News

Mob beating claims life of suspected burglary suspect in Petauke 0 A 28-year-old man has died after allegedly being beaten... Rural News

Chinsali’s Milomfi School gets new classroom block 0 Pupils at Milomfi Primary School in Lubu Ward, Chinsali... Headlines

State House Rejects Catholic Bishops’ Crisis Portrayal, Says Dialogue Must Respect Electoral Verdict 0 State House has rejected parts of a pastoral statement... Headlines

Tonse-Pamodzi Backs Church, Demands Release of Political Detainees and Probe into Kafwaya Killing 0 The Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance has welcomed interventions by the Zambia...

Related Articles

CBU, UCF sign MoU to build chemistry Laboratory

From GDP to the Dinner Table Columns July 16, 2026

Government commits to strengthening evidence-based planning

Govt. releases K3.9 million for school meals in Mpulungu

Kalyalya Urges Public Not to Downplay Zambia’s International Reserves

Popular Categories