They are just gas lighting you Every large economy in Africa subsidizes university education Many don’t have oil Algeria — Provides free university education for citizens at public institutions, a long-standing policy covering tuition and often extending to related costs. • Botswana — The government fully sponsors university students, effectively making tertiary education free or heavily subsidized for citizens, including from pre-school to university levels in some descriptions. • Namibia — As of 2026, tertiary education is 100% subsidized by the government at public universities, technical colleges, and vocational centers—no tuition or registration fees for eligible undergraduate students (first primary qualification, NQF Levels 5–8, including Honours). This extends to some private institutions and builds on prior free primary/secondary education. • Mauritania — Offers free public university education for citizens. • Eritrea — Provides free education at all levels, including tertiary, though often tied to national service obligations. • Mauritius — The government provides free education to citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels at public institutions. • South Africa — Through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the government fully or substantially covers tuition, accommodation, and other costs for qualifying (mostly low-income) students at public universities and TVET colleges, making it effectively free for many. • Egypt — Public universities offer heavily subsidized or low-cost tertiary education, with government efforts to keep fees minimal or provide free/low-cost access to increase enrollment. • Kenya — The government has long subsidized a significant portion (historically around 80%) of college tuition costs for students at public universities, though recent policy shifts (e.g., around 2022–2023) have adjusted funding levels; it remains more affordable than in many countries, with low fees even for international students in some cases.
