Africa is home to 16.1% of the world’s population and around 8.9% (1,225 out of 13,723) of the officially recognised higher education institutions(UniRank). Compared to other countries in the world, African countries came late to the party. Higher education only became a priority in the post-colonial era.

The University of Zambia(Lusaka) was the first Zambian university, established in 1967, shortly after the country gained independence from Great Britain. Funded by the government, it provided a critical service to capable students from all social classes.

Fifty five years later, Zambia now has around 50 universities spread out in different provinces. There is a mixture of public and private universities. Their location in different parts of the country has contributed to increased accessibility and shared benefits with local communities. An example is the remarkable research the Copperbelt University has done on the Copper sludge dump (“Black Mountain”) in Wusakile.

Most of the universities are situated along the North to South oriented line of rail.

Number of Universities:

Lusaka 30

Kitwe 4

Chikankata 2

Kabwe 2

Livingstone 2

Ndola 2

Choma 1

Kalulushi 1

Mongu 1

Monze 1

Lusaka has the highest number (30), followed by the Copperbelt (9), Southern Province (5), Central Province (4) and Western Province (2).  Four of the nine on the Copperbelt are in Kitwe. These are:

1. The Copperbelt University – In Riverside, Kitwe
2. The United Church of Zambia University – At Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation Campus
3. Mukuba University –  Formerly Copperbelt Secondary Teachers College along Kitwe-Chingola dual carriageway.
4. Copperstone University – Along Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway

The Copperbelt University is a public university formed in 1987. In 1989, what was once the Zambia Institute of Technology(ZIT), Kitwe, was merged with the University of Ndola to form Zambia’s second largest public university with four different compasses. Its first graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of 100 students. This how now grown to a current annual average of around 1,500 graduates.

The Copperbelt University offers a wide range of courses in the following faculties:

1. School of the Built Environment
2. School Of Business
3. Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
4. Distance Education
5. School Of Engineering
6. School of Graduate Studies
7. School Of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
8. School Of Medicine
9. School Of Mines and Mineral Sciences
10. School Of Natural Resources
11. School of Information and Communication Technology

The University is engaged in exciting research including Environmental pollution, Solar energy, Biofuels, Rare earths, Building materials and many more relevant fields that will contribute significantly to national and regional development.

Courses available range from Distance, Part time, Evening to Full time. This partly  determines the tuition fees charged. Other factors include courses involving laboratory work, duration and whether a student is Zambian, from the SADC Region or Foreign. Additional fees include Medicals, Examinations, Recreation, Insurance, and more. Details are available on the official website.

The University has a proven track record of producing high calibre graduates who have gone on to take up challenging jobs and excelling at them. It is affiliated to the Association of Commonwealth Universities; Association of African Universities; African Council for Distance Education; Southern African Regional Universities and is a signatory to the SADC Protocol on Higher Education.

The Copperbelt University and Kitwe, are playing an important role in elevating educational institutions in Zambia. This, in turn, is fostering social and economic development.