Tanzania launches Kiduchu initiative to enable repayment of education loans in small amounts

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has launched a new campaign dubbed “Kiduchu” to encourage beneficiaries of higher education loans to begin repayment in small, manageable amounts, particularly those working in the informal sector.

Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, made the announcement today during the official launch of the campaign in Dar es Salaam, stressing that loan repayment should take into account the financial capacity of each beneficiary.

She said the government had disbursed 3.6tri/- in higher education loans over the past five years, enabling thousands of students to access tertiary education without financial barriers.

“The sustainability of the student loan scheme depends on the commitment of beneficiaries to repay what they owe, even in small amounts,” she said, noting that many graduates in the informal sector face challenges in maintaining regular repayments due to unstable incomes.

The campaign, operating under the slogan “Fresh, Tunasonga!”, encourages loan beneficiaries to start repayment from as little as Sh5,000, with a focus on improving compliance among those who have not yet begun repayment or have defaulted.

According to the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB), the initiative targets 135,186 beneficiaries who collectively owe about 920bn/- in outstanding loans.

Chairperson of the HESLB Board of Directors, Prof Hamisi Dihenga, said the campaign was designed to reflect the real economic conditions of borrowers while strengthening ongoing efforts to recover matured loans.

He added that the “Kiduchu” campaign builds on previous initiatives, including the “Sifurisha” campaign, which aimed to clear long-standing loan arrears and promote a culture of repayment among graduates.

The government maintains that improving loan recovery is essential to ensuring the continuity of the student loan programme and expanding access to higher education for future generations.