The Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) has demonstrated Tanzania's leadership in digital transformation and innovation in higher education financing during the African Higher Education Financing Forum, convened in Dar es salaam on August 6, 2026 under the theme "Leveraging Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence in Student Financing."
The forum was conducted in a hybrid format and was organized by Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA), bringing together leaders of higher education financing agencies, universities, financial institutions, development partners and student representatives from across the continent including Uganda, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Zambia, to name but few. Was physically hosted at the AAHEFA Secretariat Offices in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while the panel discussion was conducted virtually, with most participants joining online with on-site moderation by the renowned researcher, Ms. Suzan Mboya, who guided the conversation between experts from different parts across Africa.
Representatives from HESLB were Dr. Peter Mmari, Director of Loan Allocation and Disbursement; Mr. Benedicto Cosmas, Director of Planning, Research and ICT; and Mr. Bahati J. Singa, Assistant Director of Information and Communication Technology. The trio was joined by Prof. Salah Al Majeed, Dean of Science and Engineering at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, to explore how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping higher education financing across Africa.
The HESLB panelists shared Tanzania's practical experience in modernizing student financing through digital systems, integrated data platforms and technology-driven service delivery and has reaffirmed Tanzania's commitment to advancing digital public services and practical experiences to continental dialogue on higher education financing.
Dr. Peter Mmari broke the ice by the discussion on digital transformation in loan administration, explaining that technology has fundamentally transformed the way HESLB delivers services making loan allocation faster, more transparent and more accurate.
"Digital transformation has enabled us to process applications more efficiently, strengthen verification through national systems, improve the tracking of applications and significantly reduce administrative bottlenecks. The result is a student financing system that is more transparent, accurate and responsive to the needs of applicants", Dr Mmari said.
Contributing to the discussion on data, artificial intelligence and innovation, Mr. Benedicto Cosmas underscored the strategic value of data in institutional planning and decision-making.
"Data should not simply be collected and archived; it should guide policy, planning and resource allocation. Through analytics, institutions can forecast demand, strengthen evidence-based decision-making and improve the efficiency of student financing programmes", Mr. Cosmas emphasized.
Addressing on ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital innovation, Mr. Bahati Singa highlighted the technological foundations necessary for sustainable digital transformation in higher education financing, emphasizing that as student financing agencies increasingly manage large volumes of personal data, cybersecurity must remain a strategic priority.
"Successful digital transformation begins with reliable ICT infrastructure, secure digital platforms, strong connectivity and skilled ICT professionals. These are the building blocks that enable institutions to deliver dependable digital services", he stressed.
Adding on an international perspective, Prof. Salah Al Majeed emphasized that higher education financing institutions must embrace innovation while ensuring that technology remains people-centred. He encouraged African institutions to strengthen partnerships between governments, universities, industry and financing agencies to accelerate digital transformation and prepare graduates for an increasingly technology-driven global economy. His contribution drew upon his experience in systems engineering, interdisciplinary innovation and international higher education leadership.
Most participants demonstrated that the digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence are no longer optional innovations but rather essential tools for expanding access to higher education, improving efficiency, strengthening accountability and ensuring the sustainability of student financing systems across Africa.
Being one of the AAHEFA founding members, HESLB continues to support regional collaboration aimed at developing innovative, inclusive and sustainable financing models that increase educational opportunities for young Africans through knowledge sharing, and capacity building among higher education financing institutions in Africa.
