Higher Education Indaba 2025 – Higher Education Authority

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: NAPSA Director General on Financing the Development of Modern Infrastructure in Higher Education

HEA — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:48:22 +0000

The Director General of the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Mr. Muyangwa Muyangwa, will feature at the Inaugural Higher Education Indaba 2025 as a panellist in one of the most crucial discussions of the entire event, “Financing the Development of Modern Infrastructure in Higher Education.”

Mr. Muyangwa brings to the table the authority and foresight of an institution that is actively reshaping its investment portfolio through bold Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and diversified investments across housing, energy, and commercial projects. These moves are not only growing the pension fund but also unlocking opportunities for sustainable national development.

At the Indaba, his insights will show how such models can provide much-needed financing for the construction of student hostels, classrooms, laboratories, and recreational and sports facilities in Zambia’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

This discussion is cardinal to the Indaba and the future of Zambia’s higher education sector. It will be enriched by leaders from Zambia’s banking and finance sector and chaired by Professor Edwin Bbenkele, Vice-Chancellor of ZCAS University. Together, they will unpack new strategies to mobilise resources and close the infrastructure gap that has long constrained the expansion and quality of higher education.

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.”

Hosted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Indaba will convene over 400 leaders from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry, cooperating partners, civil society, and other strategic stakeholders.

About Mr. Muyangwa.

(Biography courtesy of NAPSA)

Mr. Muyangwa Muyangwa is a seasoned senior executive with thirty (30) years’ combined experience in the financial and fiscal sectors. He recently worked as Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Headquarters in Washington DC. Before that, he served in various positions at the IMF, including as Technical Assistance Advisor and Revenue Administration Advisor in East and West Africa, respectively.

Prior to joining the IMF, he worked for the Zambia Revenue Authority, rising through the ranks from graduate entry level to Commissioner VAT and later Commissioner Customs Services. He also worked for Meridian BIAO Bank Limited (liquidated).

Over the years, Mr. Muyangwa has acquired key skills in organisational reform and transformation, strategic planning, fostering outcome-based management, business re-engineering for improved service delivery, expansion and management of client bases, project management, risk management, human capital development, team building, and coordination of development partners.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Bath (United Kingdom) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Copperbelt University (Zambia).

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

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay empowered.

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/ #NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Read all HEA News here: https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/
Don’t miss the HEA Newsletter. #HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia
Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Visit www.hea.org.zm for all higher education updates in Zambia.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ +260 211 227 084 │ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni on Building a State-of-the-Art University

HEA — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:41:18 +0000

What does it really take to build a world-class university campus? At the Higher Education Indaba 2025, no one is better placed to answer this question than Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni, Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka (UNILUS).

With decades of experience and a proven record of growing one of Zambia’s most dynamic private universities from the ground up, Professor Chifwanakeni will share the bold ideas, practical steps, and leadership insights required to turn a vision into a thriving academic institution. His presentation, “What Does It Take to Build a State-of-the-Art University Campus?” promises to be one of the defining moments of the Indaba.

This groundbreaking session will not stand alone, it will open into a high-level panel discussion with both local and international higher education leaders, chaired and moderated by Professor Trywell Kalusopa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation, University of Zambia (UNZA). The panel discussion will unpack how institutions can combine vision, financing, innovation, and partnerships to reshape Zambia’s higher education landscape.

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.”

About Professor Chifwanakeni.

(Biography courtesy of UNILUS)

Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni is the Founder and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka, a leading institution in Zambia’s private higher education sector. With a professional background in accounting and extensive experience in academia and business, he established the university to provide industry-relevant, entrepreneurial education aligned with national development goals. His vision is rooted in the belief that education should drive wealth creation, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Under his leadership, the University has grown to three campuses and serves over 14,000 students.

Professor Chifwanakeni is a strong advocate for academic programmes that blend theory with practical application, preparing graduates not only for the job market but also to launch and grow their own businesses. Through strategic partnerships, research promotion, and a commitment to excellence, he continues to shape the higher education landscape and advance education as a catalyst for sustainable development in Zambia and beyond.

Relevant Social Media Handles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnilusOfficial
Instagram: www.instagram.com/university_of_lusaka
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-lusaka
Twitter (X): www.x.com/UnilusOfficial

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

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay empowered.

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/ #NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Visit www.hea.org.zm for all higher education updates in Zambia.

Zambia Airways Partners with Higher Education Indaba 2025, Offers Exclusive 10% Discount for Delegates

HEA — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:22:51 +0000

With 28 Days remaining before the historic Higher Education Indaba 2025, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) signed a landmark MoU with Zambia Airways securing exclusive travel benefits for all Indaba delegates.

These benefits include 10% discount on fares, flexible payment terms and priority booking and check-in.

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

Branded “The New Wings of Africa”, Zambia Airways will fly delegates to Livingstone from Ndola, Solwezi, Lusaka and international hubs in Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The airline will also amplify the Indaba through its social media, newsletters and website, reaching audiences across the continent.

At the signing ceremony on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025, at the airline’s East Park Mall offices, Dr. Martin Mushumba, HEA Director – Quality Assurance, hailed the partnership as a reflection of the “strong and growing stakeholder support” for the inaugural Indaba.

Mr. Emmanuel Chisanga, Zambia Airways Head of Commercial, reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to “making travel safe, affordable and seamless, while powering the success of the Indaba.”

To book your flight, contact Zambia Airways:

Booking Code: HEA2025AGM
WhatsApp: ‪‪+260 763 886 511‬‬ / ‪+260 211 431 500‬‬
Email: reservations@zambiaairways.co.zm
Website: ‪www.zambia-airways.com‬

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,” bring together over 400 representatives from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry, cooperating partners, civil society, and other strategic stakeholders.

Headlining the Indaba is Professor Oliver Saasa, whose keynote presentation on “Investing in Higher Education as a Strategy for Reducing Youth Unemployment in Zambia” will be followed by a powerful panel of banking executives and employment leaders, chaired by Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lusaka.

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

For more information on the Indaba, contact:

Mr. Birbal Boniface Musoba – ‪+260 975 002 649‬ | birbal.musoba@hea.org.zm
Mr. Francis Kawesha – ‪+260 979 264 810‬ | francis.kawesha@hea.org.zm

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay empowered.

Take the National Graduate Survey! ‪https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/‬

NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Read all HEA News here: ‪https://hea.org.zm/hea-news/‬
Don’t miss the HEA Newsletter. #HigherEducationZambia #HEAZambia
Join the HEA WhatsApp Channel here:
‪https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I‬

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Visit ‪www.hea.org.zm‬ for all higher education updates in Zambia.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ ‪+260 211 227 084‬ │ info@hea.org.zm │ ‪www.hea.org.zm

Mr. Emmanuel Chisanga (L), Zambia Airways Head of Commercial, and Dr. Martin Mushumba, HEA Director - Quality, shaking hands after signing the MoU.
Mr. Chisanga and Dr. Mushumba signing the MoU.
Mr. Lottie Tembo (L), Zambia Airways Supervisor – Sales, and Mr. Denny Nsokolo (R), HEA Acting Manager – Standards, Research and Institutional Audits, witness the MoU signing between HEA and Zambia Airways as Mr. Chisanga (2-L) and Dr. Mushumba (2-R) look on.
Stronger together as partnership takes flight. The HEA and Zambia Airways teams pose after sealing a milestone MoU that brings added value to every delegate of the Higher Education Indaba 2025.
Mr. Chisanga gifts Dr. Mushumba at Zambia Airways tote bag.
More gifts from Zambia Airways to HEA.

KEYNOTE SPOTLIGHT: Professor Oliver Saasa at the Higher Education Indaba 2025

HEA — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:19:00 +0000

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.

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.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay empowered.

Take the National Graduate Survey! https://hea.org.zm/nationalgraduatesurvey/

NGS2025 #NationalGraduateSurvey

Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia.

Visit www.hea.org.zm for all higher education updates in Zambia.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) │ 2nd Floor, Engineering House │ Stand No. 2374, Kelvin Siwale Road │ P.O. Box 50795, Ridgeway, Lusaka │ ‪+260 211 227 084‬ │ info@hea.org.zm │ www.hea.org.zm