20/07/2026
UFEZ & ZNBS ROLL OUT FINANCING PACKAGE TO TACKLE CHALLENGES IN ZAMBIA'S HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS.
By Alfred Chimba
LUSAKA – The United Federation of Employers in Zambia - UFEZ, in partnership with the Zambia National Building Society - ZNBS, has launched a set of strategic financing solutions aimed at easing pressure on universities and colleges across the country.
Addressing delegates at a three-day Winter School Capacity Building Workshop for Higher Education Institutions in Livingstone, UFEZ Executive President, Dr. Humphrey Monde, told delegates that higher learning institutions are struggling with several interconnected problems.
He cited inadequate student accommodation, aging infrastructure, limited access to affordable long-term financing and the urgent need to modernize facilities and payment systems.
“At the same time, we are seeing growing enrolment without corresponding investment in infrastructure,” Dr. Monde said. “This is stretching resources and affecting the quality of service delivery.”
Dr. Monde opened his presentation with a brief on UFEZ, noting that membership is open to any employer under the Industrial and Labour Relations Act CAP 269.
He said UFEZ exists to be the voice of business and members, to promote labour market interests and to influence policy for business growth, development and job creation.
He disclosed that UFEZ has structured two key initiatives.
The first being the African Development Bank US$50 Million Initiative, a program targeting women, SMEs and enterprise development, and offers affordable financing, business development support and growth capital.
UFEZ E.D says for universities and colleges, it opens doors to student entrepreneurship programs, graduate business incubation and innovation hubs.
The second is the UFEZ-ZNBS Infrastructure Financing Initiative.
He explains that in partnership with ZNBS, the facility is designed specifically for higher institutions.
It will support construction of student hostels, campus expansion, renovation of existing facilities, staff housing, digital payment solutions, tuition collection systems, institutional banking and other tailor-made arrangements.
“Through these partnerships, institutions can increase accommodation capacity, improve learning environments, access long-term funding, and strengthen financial sustainability,” Dr. Monde said.
Also speaking as a key partner, Dr. Chewe Numba of ZNBS said the bank has expanded beyond traditional mortgages by setting up new units in Corporate Banking, Retail Banking and Property and Real Estate.
He listed six immediate solutions ZNBS is offering to institutions: ERP integrations to improve tuition collection, a School Pay product for fee payments, working capital facilities, long-term finance of up to 10 years for expansion, financing through partnerships with development institutions to address accommodation shortages, and affordable mortgages for university staff.
He added that ZNBS has been named Best Mortgage Provider in Zambia for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024 by Capital Finance International, and placed second for Best Africa Real Estate Bank of the Year at the 2023 Africa Property Investment Awards.
Both Dr. Monde and Dr. Numba urged universities and colleges to take up the new facilities.
Dr. Numba echoed the call: “Through this partnership with UFEZ, we want to see resilient universities that can expand infrastructure, improve student welfare, and remain financially stable.”
He encouraged institutions to work with ZNBS and UFEZ to address accommodation deficits, upgrade facilities, and strengthen cash flow.
