DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has increased the budget for higher education students’ loans to 1 tri/ for the 2026/27 financial year, reflecting growing demand for university education across the country.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Carolyne Nombo, said the increased allocation underscores the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education by ensuring more eligible students receive financial support.
Speaking in Dodoma today, July 13, 2026, during a consultative meeting between the ministry and its affiliated institutions, the PS said the rise in the loans budget corresponds with the increasing number of Tanzanians enrolling in higher learning institutions.
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She commended the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) for developing proposals on alternative financing mechanisms aimed at mobilising additional resources for the loan scheme and reducing the financial burden on the government.
“The increasing demand for higher education calls for innovative financing models that will guarantee the sustainability of students’ loans while expanding access to tertiary education,” she said.
Additionally, Prof Nombo urged institutions under the ministry to develop new revenue-generating initiatives to strengthen the financing of higher education loans and improve service delivery across the education sector.
She said diversifying sources of income will complement government funding and enhance the long-term sustainability of education programmes as enrolment in higher learning institutions continues to grow.