The Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) today (Tuesday, July 28, 2026), held a strategic meeting with officials from NAMA Foundation at the HESLB offices in Tazara, Dar es Salaam, to discuss potential areas of collaboration aimed at expanding access to higher education for Tanzanian students.
The meeting focused on exploring sustainable partnerships that will strengthen efforts to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing higher education. Both parties identified key areas of collaboration, including mobilisation of sponsorship opportunities for needy students and implementation of joint public awareness initiatives to educate communities on available higher education financing and support opportunities.
As part of the meeting, the Assistant Director for Loans Disbursements, Ms. Sarah Fihavango, presented HESLB mandates and core functions, highlighting its role in providing loans and grants to eligible students, managing loan recovery, and promoting equitable access to higher education in Tanzania. She also reaffirmed HESLB’s commitment to collaborating with like-minded partners to mobilise additional resources that will enable more deserving Tanzanian students to realise their academic aspirations.
HESLB noted that collaboration with development partners such as NAMA Foundation is vital in complementing the Government's efforts to increase access to higher education, particularly for students facing financial challenges. Through such partnerships, more young Tanzanians will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that contribute to national development.
NAMA Foundation, whose mission is to empower communities through education, civil society development, and sustainable partnerships, shared its commitment to nurturing capable individuals and institutions that drive lasting change. The Foundation emphasised that creating educational opportunities, inspiring hope, and transforming lives remain at the heart of its work across communities.
Both HESLB and NAMA Foundation expressed optimism that the proposed partnership will create a strong platform for mobilising resources, enhancing awareness of higher education opportunities, and increasing support for needy students. The two institutions agreed to continue engaging in further discussions to identify specific areas of partnership and establish an appropriate framework for collaboration.
The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to widening access to higher education and empowering more Tanzanian youth to achieve their educational and career aspirations.
