Education Minister Urges Private Sector to Invest in University Hostels
Zambia’s Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, has appealed to the private sector to partner with government in addressing the critical shortage of student accommodation at public universities.
Speaking on Monday, 8th September, when he received a 14-member delegation from the Impero Group of Companies and its Alliance Partners, Hon. Syakalima said demand for university places continues to grow each year, while hostel infrastructure has not kept pace.
“As a Ministry overseeing ten universities, we have a lot of virgin land that can be utilised for the construction of student hostels. At all these institutions, the major challenge is inadequate student accommodation, as the student population keeps increasing each year,” he said.
The delegation, comprising representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Egypt, and Britain, is in Zambia to explore investment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Hon. Syakalima also stressed that investment in education is intrinsically linked to energy supply.
“Investment in the energy sector is critical, because investment in education is futile without sufficient energy,” he said.
The visit was facilitated by Zambia’s Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Professor Gerry Nkombo Muuka. Earlier, the delegation signed a National Investment Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA).
Professor Muuka said the Impero Group and its Alliance Partners are exploring opportunities in education, energy, mining, hospitality, and infrastructure.
Ms. Sumeya Sharif Mohamed Alameeri, Chairperson of Impero Icon Investment, said Zambia was chosen due to its peaceful environment and investor-friendly policies.
The government hopes that private sector engagement in hostel construction will ease pressure on existing facilities, improve student welfare, and support Zambia’s broader education development agenda.
