Unam, Nust get N$2.53 billion as tertiary subsidy bill climbs

The government has allocated N$2.53 billion to Namibia’s two public universities for the 2026/27 financial year, as the cost of subsidised tertiary education begins to weigh on the budget.

The University of Namibia (Unam) will receive N$1.9 billion, while the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has been allocated N$631 million, marking a sharp increase in higher education spending.

The combined allocation represents a 31% increase and is aimed at sustaining the rollout of subsidised tertiary education introduced this year.

Tabling the education budget in the National Assembly on Thursday, minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp said the funding is intended to maintain affordability while strengthening the country’s skills base.

“The allocations to Unam and Nust have been increased from N$1.38 billion and N$576 million, respectively, in 2025/26 to N$1.9 billion and N$631 million for the 2026/27 financial year to meet the demands of subsidised education,” she said.

A further N$1.99 billion has been set aside for tuition and registration fees at public and private institutions, while N$2.51 billion will cover non-tuition costs and continuing students.

Steenkamp said access to higher and technical education will be expanded through new campuses, hybrid learning models and continued infrastructure investment.

The government has earmarked N$86.1 million for construction and renovation projects at Unam and Nust, alongside N$35.1 million for a student village in Windhoek to ease accommodation shortages.

“The allocation for the student village will address ongoing challenges related to student accommodation in Windhoek,” she said.

For science and innovation, N$127.3 million has been allocated, including N$24.3 million for a national biotechnology laboratory and N$25.5 million for a satellite data ground receiving station at the Windhoek Telecom earth station.

The vocational education and training sector will receive N$614.6 million, a 4.5% increase, to support policy reform, skills development and industry partnerships, including training for the oil and gas sector.

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