• The institutions were deregistered for contravening the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013 Part IV: Section 23.
• HEA has deregistered the three institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013.
• The affected Instituions are free to appeal the decision with the Minister of Education within 30 days.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) has deregistered Africa Open University, Twin Palm Leadership University and University College of Central Africa from operating as Higher Education Institutions in Zambia, with effect from 3rd April, 2024.

Authority Corporate Communications Officer, Birbal Musoba explained in a statement that the institutions were deregistered for contravening the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013 Part IV: Section 23.

Mr. Musoba explained that African Open University and Twin Palm Leadership University, located in Ndola and Chikankata, respectively failed to recruit adequate qualified teaching and administrative staff.

He added that the two institutions had inadequate teaching and learning facilities to support the learning programmes on offer.

“The Higher Education Authority has forthwith deregistered Africa Open University, Twin Palm Leadership University and University College of Central Africa, Registration Numbers HEA/059, HEA/044 and HEA/103, respectively, from operating as Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the Republic of Zambia.”

“HEA has deregistered the three institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013, as read with the Higher Education (Amendment) Act, 2021,” Mr. Musoba explained.

He said University College of Central Africa, located in Lusaka, was deregistered for failing to operationalize the university within six months of registration.

Mr. Musoba also stated that the institution failed to establish fixed premises for the operation of the university college, adding that the affected Instituions are free to appeal the decision with the Minister of Education within 30 days.

“HEA is resolved to ensuring that there is no compromise in the adherence to set standards in order for the country to continue getting the espoused quality standards of higher education,” he added.