Nyanga South legislator Supa Mandiwanzira has proposed that the Zimbabwean government explore taxing Cambridge examination fees, arguing that Cambridge University profits without investing in the country.
Zimbabwe relied on Cambridge University for national examinations from independence up to around 1995 when the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) assumed full responsibility for exams.
Despite the establishment of Zimsec, many Zimbabwean students continue to choose Cambridge examinations to improve their prospects for international education.
However, Honourable Mandiwanzira believes that Cambridge University has earned billions of dollars from Zimbabwean students over the years and should therefore be taxed.
Call for Taxation During Budget Debate
During the 2025 National Budget debate in the National Assembly, Mandiwanzira highlighted that the Treasury could generate revenue by taxing Cambridge, reducing pressure to increase the budget for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development.
‘’Thank you very much Madam Chair. I would like to associate with the comments made by Honourable Thokozani Khupe in thanking the Honourable Minister for considering the increase in the budget to Primary and Secondary Education.
‘’The issue of the release of funds on time is a very critical issue. I just want to suggest to the Honourable Minister that there are other key areas of revenue that perhaps you should consider to not burden himself too much with the disbursement.
‘’Since independence in 1980 until now, Zimbabweans have paid examination fees of varying amounts in USD to Cambridge University. I have not heard in my entire life where Cambridge University has assisted in building schools here because they feed out of the investment by the government.
‘’I think we need to find a way of funding our education ministries from funds that have gone to Cambridge. We need to find a way either to tax these funds or prick their conscience to say you have lured billions of dollars since independence in 1980,’’ he said.
Billions in Unclaimed Revenue
Honourable Mandiwanzira estimated that Cambridge University has collected billions in examination fees over the decades without offering scholarships or investing in Zimbabwean education.
‘’I have not heard where Cambridge University has offered scholarships to Zimbabweans because they benefit by getting exam fees from thousands of Zimbabweans.
‘’I am sure if we do calculations of how much has been paid in examination fees to Cambridge University in the UK, it will run into billions of USD. So, my suggestion is perhaps in the taxing…,’’ he said.
2025 Budget Allocation
Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube proposes allocating ZWG 10,523,772,000 to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development in the 2025 national budget.
