Gov’t Signs PPP Deal to Build 6,480 New UNZA Hostel Spaces
The Government of Zambia has signed a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) agreement to construct 6,480 new student bed spaces at the University of Zambia (UNZA), in a move aimed at improving student welfare, safety and access to quality education.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also chairs the PPP Council of Ministers, said the project represents a critical step towards addressing the long-standing accommodation deficit at the country’s largest university.
Speaking following the signing of the agreement, Dr Musokotwane said the initiative is not merely about infrastructure development, but about restoring dignity, safety and opportunity for students.
“For many years, students have had to balance academic life with the uncertainty of accommodation, often facing long commutes, unsafe living conditions and limited access to basic services,” he said.
Currently, UNZA has approximately 4,179 bed spaces against a student population exceeding 35,000, leaving a shortfall of more than 18,000 spaces. The new project is expected to ease pressure on existing facilities and improve the overall learning environment.
The hostels will be developed by Goodlife Campus Residence Limited under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate, Maintain and Transfer model. The private partner will invest approximately K1.1 billion in the project and manage the facilities during the concession period before transferring them to the university.
Under the agreement, UNZA will benefit from a revenue-sharing arrangement, receiving three per cent of rental income from year three to year eleven, and eight per cent from year twelve to year twenty-seven.
Dr Musokotwane said the PPP model allows government to accelerate infrastructure development without placing additional strain on public finances, while ensuring that service delivery standards are maintained.
He emphasised that the project is part of a broader effort to strengthen Zambia’s education sector, particularly in light of increased enrolment following the introduction of free education in 2022.
The Minister noted that improving student accommodation is essential to academic success, as safe and stable living conditions enable learners to focus on their studies.
Student leaders have welcomed the development, describing it as a turning point in addressing accommodation challenges that have persisted for decades. UNZASU President Mwanto Kabaso said access to decent housing is fundamental to a conducive learning environment.
The project also aligns with government’s wider development agenda under President Hakainde Hichilema, which places education at the centre of national transformation.
Dr Musokotwane added that while the hostel project is a significant milestone, more investment is needed to rehabilitate existing infrastructure at UNZA, including water and sanitation systems, roads, laboratories and learning facilities.
He called for strict adherence to timelines, transparency and quality standards to ensure successful delivery of the project.
