History of AAHEFA
Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA) is an entity that brings together institutions from African Continent, which deals with issuance of loans, bursaries/grants and scholarship to higher education students as well as collecting back the loans issued. This entity was formed in 2008 and formally registered in Tanzania where the headquarters are currently located.
AAHEFA was formed with initial Membership of three agencies namely Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) Tanzania, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Kenya and Students Financing Agency for Rwanda (currently known as Higher Education Students Loans Department (HESLD). The main objective was to serve as the apex organization and principal forum for sharing of information and experiences on common matters and to increase students’ access to higher education within and outside Africa.
Of recent times the Financing of higher education in Africa has been at a critical juncture, deviating from purely Government subvention to all students in Higher Education Institutions to cost sharing which also invites an indirect support of public funding through students loans.
Within six years of its establishment, AAHEFA has gained credibility among its member institutions, East African governments, and donor partners. It enjoys a unique capacity for convening the vast majority of the African higher education community to reflect and consult on key issues affecting Financing of Higher education through students Loans in Africa, and for promoting cooperation and collaboration, experience sharing among its member institutions.
Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA) was formed with initial Membership of three agencies namely Higher Education Students’ Loans Board, Higher Education Loans Board and Students Financing Agency for Rwanda from Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda respectively. The main objective was to serve as the apex organization and principal forum for sharing of information and experiences on common matters and to increase students’ access to higher education within and outside Africa.
Of recent times the Financing of higher education in Africa has been at a critical juncture, deviating from purely Government subvention to all students in Higher Education Institutions to cost sharing which also invites an indirect support of public funding through students loans.
Currently 13 countries of Africa, namely; Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana and South Africa do have a student loan scheme to cover for Higher Education Students Loans.
In a period of three years of its establishment, AAHEFA has gained credibility among its member institutions, East African governments, and donor partners. It enjoys a unique capacity for convening the vast majority of the African higher education community to reflect and consult on key issues affecting Financing of Higher education through students Loans in Africa, and for promoting cooperation and collaboration, experience sharing among its member institutions.
Vision: To transform Africa through Higher Education Financing.
Mission: To be an Association of Excellence for Higher Education Financing Agencies in Africa through Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building.
Core Values:
In order for AAHEFA to execute its mandate effectively, the following have been identified as the guiding values that form the platform of the organization’s operating ethics.
- Diversity
- Accountability and transparency
- Innovation and excellence
- Integrity and professionalism
- Team work
Credo:
- Enhanced service delivery
- Efficient processes and systems
- Sustained staff productivity
