Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) has recognized and awarded 11 of its key partners for their outstanding contribution to strengthening the management and recovery of higher education loans, underscoring the institution’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships in support of education financing and human capital development.
The partners received special awards during a recognition ceremony organized by HESLB as a gesture of appreciation for their role in ensuring that beneficiaries repay their student loans in accordance with the law, thereby enabling more students to access financial support for higher education.
Speaking during the event, HESLB Executive Director, Dr. Bill Kiwia, said that while the provision of loans and the recovery of funds remain among the institution’s core mandates, the achievements recorded over the years have largely been driven by strong collaboration with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
He noted that HESLB continues to benefit from the support of various institutions that play a critical role in facilitating loan repayments, a factor that has significantly enhanced the sustainability of the student loan fund.
“Over the past four years, we have witnessed remarkable growth in loan recovery performance. In the 2025/2026 financial year alone, HESLB has already collected more than TZS 200 billion, the highest amount ever recovered in the history of the institution,” said Dr. Bill Kiwia.
He further revealed that HESLB will continue working closely with its stakeholders to improve beneficiary data verification processes and roll out an enhanced monitoring system aimed at tracking loan beneficiaries more effectively, reducing fraudulent practices and ensuring compliance with repayment obligations.
Among the 11 partners recognized, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) emerged as a leading contributor to loan recovery efforts. Records indicate that the authority facilitates the recovery of approximately TZS 500 million every month through deductions from employees who are beneficiaries of HESLB loans.
Representing the Director of Human Resources at TRA, Ms. Tija Okondwa reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring that loan beneficiaries employed by the institution fulfill their repayment responsibilities.
“TRA remains committed to supporting HESLB by strengthening compliance mechanisms and promoting accountability among loan beneficiaries. We look forward to expanding this partnership for the benefit of the nation and future generations,” she said.
The recognition of these partners comes at a time when HESLB is implementing a series of digital and operational reforms aimed at improving service delivery and enhancing efficiency.
According to Dr. Bill Kiwia, the institution’s record-breaking recovery performance demonstrates the power of collaboration between government agencies, public institutions and private sector stakeholders in safeguarding public resources.
As loan recoveries continue to rise, so too does the capacity of the fund to support thousands of aspiring students, reinforcing higher education as a key driver of Tanzania’s long-term socio-economic transformation and national development.
