Cape Verde to Abolish Public University Tuition Fees by 2026
In a landmark shift for West African education, the Cape Verdean government has announced that public universities will become tuition-free starting with the 2026/2027 academic year. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to higher education and reshape the nation’s economic future.
A ‘New Course’ for Higher Education
Minister of Education Arnaldo Brito unveiled the plan during a parliamentary session in Praia on Monday, where he detailed the priorities for the coming term. “We will guarantee access to public higher education by eliminating the payment of tuition fees,” Brito stated. He confirmed that the government has already issued guidelines to the country’s two public universities to begin preparing for the transition.
The move is a cornerstone of the newly elected government’s executive program under the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV). Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho described the policy as part of a “new course” for the country, which also promises free healthcare, accessible inter-island transportation, and expanded professional training.
Transforming the University Model
Beyond making university free, Minister Brito advocated for a fundamental evolution in how higher education serves the island nation. He proposed a “development university” model—an approach that integrates academic research more closely with private businesses, local municipalities, and public administration.
To support this vision, the government plans to establish a national system for science, technology, and innovation. A specific allocation will be carved out in the 2027 State Budget to provide dedicated funding for scientific research and technological development.
Broad Reforms on the Horizon
The education overhaul is just one piece of a comprehensive reform package presented to Parliament following the PAICV’s victory in the May legislative elections. The government’s broader agenda includes:
- Universal Pre-school: Ensuring early education is available to every child.
- Economic Diversification: A new agenda focusing on private investment, the “blue economy,” agriculture, and digital and energy transitions.
- Governance and Justice: Major reforms in public administration, anti-corruption efforts, and decentralization.
- Social Services: Strengthening health services and increasing access to affordable housing.
The PAICV currently holds an absolute majority in Parliament with 37 of the 72 seats. The Movement for Democracy (MpD) leads the opposition with 33 seats, while the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID) holds two.
Image: Pexels – Irene Vega
