Malawi Approves a 100 Percent Increase in Public University Tuition
By Muntasir • Published May 06, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Africa Higher Ed News & Policy
Malawi's government approved a 100 percent increase in public university tuition, effective 2026/27 at most public universities. Fees rise from MK650,000 to MK1,300,000 a year, while Kamuzu University of Health Sciences doubles from MK1,000,000 to MK2,000,000 from the 2027/28 academic year.
💵 UNIMA, MZUNI, LUANAR, MUST and MUBAS: MK650,000 to MK1,300,000 a year (about $370 to $740)
💵 Kamuzu University of Health Sciences: MK1,000,000 to MK2,000,000 a year (about $570 to $1,140), from 2027/28
📩 Government cites a 40-60 percent funding deficit in public universities
⏱️ Students petitioned parliament and called for the increase to be suspended
What changed for the 2026/27 academic year
Malawi approved a doubling of tuition at its public universities starting with the 2026/27 academic year. The University of Malawi (UNIMA), Mzuzu University (MZUNI), the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) all move from MK650,000 to MK1,300,000 a year, according to The Times Group . Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) fees double from MK1,000,000 to MK2,000,000, but only from the 2027/28 academic year.
At an exchange rate near MK1,750 to the US dollar in mid-2026, the new fees run to roughly $740 a year for most public universities and $1,140 a year at KUHeS.
Fee changes at a glance
| Institution | Old annual fee | New annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| UNIMA, MZUNI, LUANAR, MUST, MUBAS | MK650,000 (about $370) | MK1,300,000 (about $740) |
| Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | MK1,000,000 (about $570) | MK2,000,000 (about $1,140), from 2027/28 |
Why the government approved the increase
Universities and the education ministry point to a persistent 40-60 percent funding deficit that has degraded laboratories, equipment and research capacity across public higher education, per Pan African Visions . Officials describe the increase as an emergency measure tied to inflation and pressure on the national budget, not a routine adjustment.
How students and the public responded
Students petitioned parliament over the increase, and civil society groups, including Citizens for Justice and Equity, called for the new fee structure to be suspended immediately. Critics point out that student housing has not kept pace with the fee jump. Some KUHeS students still rely on MUBAS facilities because KUHeS lacks enough hostel space of its own. Parents and students also questioned whether the Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) will raise loan and grant amounts to match the new fees.
What it means if you rely on a loan or bursary
If your fees jump under this policy, confirm your HESLGB loan or bursary amount for 2026/27 before you commit to registration, since a fee change on the university side does not automatically raise your award. Ask your university's finance office about installment plans, since a lump sum near MK1,300,000 is a large jump from MK650,000 for most families.