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The Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) has played a vital role in shaping the future of higher education in Tanzania, according to Amani Kakana, the board’s Director of Information, Education, and Communication.
During a recent interview on TBC1’s Jambo Tanzania, Kakana shared how HESLB has positively impacted countless families across the country by providing financial support to students pursuing higher education.
“Almost every family in Tanzania has felt the impact of the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board,” Kakana said. “Whether it’s you, your child, or even your extended family, there’s a strong chance that someone you know has benefited from our support.”
Since its establishment, HESLB has provided loans to over 830,000 students, disbursing more than 8 trillion Tanzanian shillings to help them realize their educational goals. Kakana explained that these loans have not only helped students complete their studies but have also enabled many to secure jobs or even start their own businesses, empowering them to build better futures.
In addition to providing loans, Kakana also spoke about the board’s success in recovering these funds. He noted that collections have steadily increased over the years, from TZS 55 billion per month when the board first began, to TZS 177 billion per month today. This growth, Kakana explained, shows that the board is succeeding in its mission to be financially sustainable while supporting students.
For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, HESLB has set aside a remarkable TZS 787.4 billion to continue funding higher education loans. This is a significant increase from the TZS 9.9 billion allocated when the board first began its operations 20 years ago.
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The number of students benefiting from the loans has also grown exponentially. While just 16,354 students received funding in the board’s first year, this number has surged to 245,799 for the current year. Kakana emphasized that this increase reflects the growing demand for financial assistance and the board’s ability to expand its reach to more students each year.
“As we celebrate two decades of HESLB, we’re proud of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve been able to do for Tanzanian students,” Kakana said. “Our goal has always been to give every student who needs it the opportunity to pursue their education without the burden of financial limitations.”
Looking to the future, Kakana reaffirmed HESLB’s commitment to providing equitable access to higher education for all Tanzanians. The board plans to continue improving its services and leveraging technology to ensure that more students can benefit from its programs, paving the way for an even brighter future for the next generation.
