Higher Education Authority > Featured > Texila, Apex and UNILUS Lead the Way on 2026 Student Levy

Texila, Apex and UNILUS Lead the Way on 2026 Student Levy

January 28, 2026 Featured

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has commended Texila American University, Lusaka Apex Medical University, and the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) for emerging as the first among the 213 registered and recognised Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to fully settle their Annual Student Levy for 2026, setting a strong example of compliance and institutional responsibility within the higher education sector.

Texila American University was the first institution to remit the levy in full, followed by Lusaka Apex Medical University, with UNILUS, which led compliance in 2025, once again demonstrating consistency by being among the first HEIs to meet its statutory obligation this year.

The Annual Student Levy is prescribed under the Higher Education (General) Regulations, 2024, which operationalised the Higher Education (Amendment) Act, 2021. In accordance with the law, every HEI is required to pay K75.00 per Zambian student and K100.00 per foreign student on or before 31st March each year.

For the 2025 academic year, Texila American University had a total student population of 2,016, Lusaka Apex Medical University 6,200, and UNILUS 16,833 students, underscoring the scale of commitment demonstrated through early and full compliance.

HEA Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, expressed delight at the early compliance demonstrated by the three institutions.

“We are highly encouraged by the leadership shown by Texila American University, Lusaka Apex Medical University, and the University of Lusaka,” Professor Chinsembu said, adding, “Their prompt settlement of the student levy reflects a deep appreciation of their statutory responsibilities and a shared commitment to strengthening quality assurance in higher education.”

He further urged other institutions to emulate this example by fulfilling all statutory obligations, including the payment of the Annual Student Levy, which plays a critical role in supporting regulation, oversight, and the protection of students.

Texila American University, classified ZQF 10, currently offers 21 accredited learning programmes. Lusaka Apex Medical University, classified ZQF 9, has 23 accredited programmes across six (6) registered campuses. UNILUS, classified ZQF 10, offers 89 accredited programmes across three (3) registered campuses, making it one of the largest private universities in the country.

Recognised and registered HEIs are classified across four (4) tiers on the Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF), which determine the highest level of programmes they are authorised to offer, ranging from Bachelor’s to Doctoral level.

In addition to the student levy, HEA reminds all HEIs that Statutory Instrument No. 51 of 2024, issued pursuant to the Higher Education (Amendment) Act, 2021, mandates all HEIs to conduct annual self-assessments and submit reports to the Authority by 31st March each year. The associated annual institutional audit fee is a legally enforceable requirement.

HEA has reiterated its call on all institutions to meet their statutory obligations on time, noting that early compliance strengthens governance, accountability, and the credibility of Zambia’s higher education system.

Contacts:

  1. Texila American University here: https://tau.edu.zm
  2. Lusaka Apex Medical University here: www.lamu.edu.zm
  3. University of Lusaka (UNILUS) here: https://www.unilus.ac.zm/

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