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The Tanzanian government plans to increase the number of students receiving higher education loans in the 2025/2026 financial year, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has announced.
Speaking on Saturday at the 21st anniversary celebrations of the Tanzania Higher Learning Students’ Association (TAHLISO) in Dodoma, Majaliwa revealed that 252,773 students will benefit from government loans, including 88,320 first-year students.
“This initiative builds on the commitment of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to enhance the quality of higher education and improve the learning environment for students nationwide,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that in the 2024/2025 financial year, the government disbursed loans totalling 787.4 billion Tanzanian shillings (approximately $337 million) to 248,331 students a 40% increase compared to 570 billion shillings allocated to 177,925 students in 2021/2022.
Majaliwa also highlighted the expansion of the Samia Scholarship programme, aimed at high-performing science students at advanced secondary level. For 2025/2026, 2,630 students are expected to benefit, joining the current 1,976 recipients.
To ease the burden on graduates, the government has removed penalties and fees associated with loan repayments, a move credited with improving repayment rates.
The repayment system now involves over 3,500 institutions and benefits approximately 3,000 borrowers monthly.
On support for diploma students, Majaliwa said the loan scheme began in 2023/2024 with 7.29 billion shillings allocated, rising to 19.95 billion shillings in 2024/2025 an increase of nearly 178%. So far, more than 13,200 students have benefited from this programme, which prioritises strategic fields.
Addressing the issue of political stability ahead of the October general elections, Majaliwa urged students and youth to reject attempts by some politicians to incite unrest.
“Tanzania belongs to all of us. We must safeguard peace and stability as we approach the elections,” he said.
He further called on TAHLISO leaders to act as role models within society, warning against behaviours contrary to Tanzanian values, including drug abuse and sexual misconduct.
Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Engineer Q.S. Omar Kipanga, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the 2014 Education and Training Policy (2023 edition).
The policy focuses on skills development aligned with labour market demands to support national development.
“Curricula have been revised and leaders trained to ensure education meets both national and international standards, equipping graduates with relevant 21st-century skills,” he said.
TAHLISO President Geofrey Kiliba thanked the government for its efforts in improving higher education infrastructure, expanding loan budgets, strengthening curricula, and enhancing institutional governance.
“We remain committed to partnering with the government on policy and educational initiatives that drive the country’s progress,” Kiliba added.