Education and success are inextricably linked. It is Nelson Mandela who said, “The purpose of education is not only to impart knowledge but to ignite ambition, empowering individuals to strive for greatness and leave a lasting impact on the world.”
And therefore, when, in any setting, the government makes education a privilege instead of a right, nations lose their greatest treasure, the potential of their own people.
Just look around you and you will see someone who had the potential but never got to further their education because they could not afford it at that time.
Across Africa, too many dreams have been deferred because the cost of knowledge has been unbearable.
Nothing weakens a society more than watching capable young men and women turned away from classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories because they cannot afford the price tag attached to their future, or because the government has been reluctant to equip their institutions.
Acknowledged, Corrected Mistakes
Recently, in Kenya, the government announced a new directive reducing public university fees by roughly 15-40%, and ordering institutions to comply and update their portals to reflect the changes.
For families that had been stretched to breaking point, this news came as a sigh of relief. For students who were considering abandoning their studies, it was a lifeline. For the country, it is a crucial move because when education is affordable, everyone wins.
This news came a short while after the same government had hinted to scrapping decades-old free education in the country, and later “clarified otherwise”, pledging to seek funding and retain free education.
In my previous reflection in July, I emphasized that African nations must not fear acknowledging their mistakes in education policy. This latest decision, however, shows that some are now moving from mistakes to meaningful reforms, and that shift deserves recognition.
But Kenya’s story is not unique. It is Africa’s story. We are seeing a new consciousness across the continent: governments waking up to the reality that investing in education is not optional. It is the very foundation of national strength.
Reducing fees, expanding access, or easing the burden on parents and guardians are not acts of generosity. They are acts of justice to the citizenry, and they are long overdue.
Impacting through Education
Why should education be affordable at every level, from nursery to university? Because an educated population is the most powerful resource a country can possess. Look at countries like Norway, Denmark and Germany and see how they’ve changed the world by first educating their citizens for free.
Look at how Singapore, Japan, China and various others are impacting the globe. Can this be achieved without education?
Once a young person has been trained to think, to innovate, and to lead, no power on earth can take that away. Affordable education, therefore, is not charity but the smartest investment any government can make.
Facilitating Brain-Drain
Think of the alternatives. When school fees rise beyond reach, bright students are forced to drop out. Some are driven into poverty cycles that last generations. Others migrate abroad, seeking the affordable education and opportunities they were denied at home.
And when they settle elsewhere, we ask: why don’t they come back? The truth is, if a country refuses to invest in its own people, it loses the moral authority to demand loyalty from those who leave.
Across Africa, the pattern has been painfully consistent. Nations lament “brain drain,” yet they create the very conditions that drive their people away. Young Africans queue at embassies, chasing scholarships and cheaper tuition in countries that have understood that education is a public good, not a private luxury.
The Message
If African governments wish to keep their talent, they must match this understanding with action.
Kenya’s decision to slash university fees says to the youth: we see you, we value your rights, and we will not price you out of your destiny. But of importance is not just talking the change, but walking it, and I challenge universities to take this up and implement it, for the future of our nation.
Other nations should take note. If we want to create an Africa that does not export its brightest minds but nurtures them at home, then affordability must sit at the center of our education policies.
Education, at its best, is the great equalizer. It allows the child of the gate person to dream as boldly as the child of a business executive. It levels the ground between privilege and struggle.
Governments must therefore understand that every time they reduce education fees, they reclaim potential.
Governments, Prioritize Education
An affordable university system produces graduates who are not burdened by impossible debts. These graduates become innovators, job creators, and problem solvers. They strengthen economies, improve healthcare systems, advance technology, and enrich culture.
In contrast, unaffordable education traps nations in cycles of inequality and despair, where only the wealthy rise, and the poor remain excluded, and the hatred worsens.
This is why education must always be the first priority of any government. Before grand infrastructure projects, before international conferences, before expensive military ventures, there must be schools, colleges, and universities where every citizen has the chance to learn.
Of course, applause must be measured. Cutting fees is one step, but it must be followed by broader reforms: better facilities, modern curricula, digital access, research funding, and robust student support.
Affordable education is not only about lowering fees but ensuring that the education quality matches the needs of a changing world.
Yet, as we acknowledge these limitations, we must still celebrate progress. Kenya’s directive shows that there’s potential for more African countries to make education affordable in their countries. The task ahead is to ensure that this momentum is sustained, scaled, and shared across the continent.
Our greatest wealth is not buried underground but seated in our lecture halls, our science labs, our libraries, and our young people’s minds. And so long as those halls are filled with students who can afford to learn, Africa has a fighting chance to transform itself from within.
Act Now
Are you a citizens’ representative in your country, a policy maker or an influential voice in the government or a body which can help transform lives through education? Take this up and spread the word passionately and positively.
Urge your government to consider a more affordable yet high quality education for its people. Let us all join hands and speak in one voice, and ensure implementation is not an option but a must, for better societies, countries and continent.
Affordable education is not a gift. It is our right, power, and future.
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Benvictor Makau is a visionary leader, digiprepreneur, and change-maker with a global perspective. As the Founder and CEO of Benmak Virtual Assistants (www.benmakva.com), he leads a team of virtual experts in supporting busy professionals and organizations to thrive by delivering world-class virtual assistance and digital marketing solutions.
He also serves as the Assistant Director of The Trueness Project, a philanthropic organization transforming lives globally through philanthropy in education, leadership mentorship, and peace promotion.
A highly-experienced journalist and editor, his work is rooted in a profound belief in intentional empowerment.
Beyond his organizational roles, Benvictor is an accomplished bestselling author, storyteller, and content strategist. He has reviewed and edited numerous publications, further amplifying his voice in the global thought leadership arena.
Through his journey, Benvictor inspires others to embrace purpose-driven leadership and navigate the complexities of the modern world with integrity and determination.
His contact: benvictorisaac@gmail.com
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.