The Inaugural Higher Education Indaba will open with a powerhouse keynote by Professor Oliver Saasa, one of Zambia’s most respected economists and policy analysts. His keynote address, “Investing in Higher Education as a Strategy for Reducing Youth Unemployment in Zambia,” will set the tone for this historic gathering.

Professor Saasa brings unmatched experience as Chancellor of Mulungushi University, Chairman of the Board of ZANACO Plc, and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council appointed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.

Following his keynote, a high-level panel featuring Zambia’s top banking executives and employment leaders will unpack the opportunities and challenges for investing in higher education. The discussion will be chaired and moderated by Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka.

Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba.

The inaugural Higher Education Indaba will be held from 8th to 10th October, 2025, at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, under the theme “Unlocking Zambia’s Potential Through New Investments in Quality Higher Education.”

The Higher Education Indaba 2025 is being hosted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education through the Department of University Education, and will bring together representatives from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry, cooperating partners, civil society, and other strategic stakeholders.

About Professor Saasa.

Professor Oliver Saasa is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at ZANACO Plc. Until his appointment, Professor Saasa served as a board member at ZANACO. He is a Professor of International Economic Relations and the Managing Consultant/Proprietor of Premier Consult Limited in Lusaka.

Professor Saasa has an extensive background in the financial sector, having served on various boards both nationally and internationally. His previous roles include Chairman of the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Stanbic Bank (Zambia), and the Trade and Development Fund. He also chairs the TDB Academy and he is involved with the Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC).

In addition to his board responsibilities, he is the Chancellor of Mulungushi University and has been appointed by the Zambian President as the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council. He also leads the Business Coalition Council Emergency Taskforce, which comprises over 180 large corporate members in Zambia.

Professor Saasa has consulted extensively with governments and organizations such as the World Bank, OECD, and AfDB, and has published extensively in trade, investment, and international economic relations.

Professor Saasa holds a Ph.D. in International Economic Studies, Master of Science in International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Development Studies/ Political Economy).

Biography courtesy of ZANACO Plc.

Register for the Higher Education Indaba here: www.hea.org.zm/inbaba.

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