Eswatini Higher Education Council ESHEC

Overview

The Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), also known as the Eswatini Higher Education Council (EHEC), is the statutory body charged with overseeing and regulating all higher education institutions and qualifications in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Established in 2015 under the Higher Education Act of 2013, ESHEC supports national goals by ensuring that institutions produce programmes aligned with the country’s socio‑economic development needs.

History and Legal Framework

The Higher Education Act No. 6 of 2013 is the founding legal instrument that mandated the creation of the Council. Its primary aim was to repeal the previous laissez‑faire system and introduce formal regulation into a previously unregulated higher education sub‑sector. According to uniRank, ESHEC was formally established in 2015 to fulfil this purpose.

Initial operationalisation included the Higher Education (General) Regulations of 2016 (Legal Notice No. 14), which defined minimum institutional and programme standards. In 2023, ESHEC launched a new three‑year strategic framework to deepen regulatory effectiveness and relevance.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

ESHEC aspires to ensure that Eswatini’s tertiary sector:

• Delivers high‑quality, relevant programmes across degree, diploma, certificate and vocational levels;
• Aligns academic offerings with emerging industry needs and national policy priorities;
• Promotes continuous quality improvement via audits, evaluations and capacity building;
• Produces graduates and knowledge workers essential for stimulating economic growth and innovation.

According to uniRank, ESHEC’s mandate extends across automated recognition of “legacy” programmes to formal accreditation, quality promotion and standard‑setting.

Governance, Structure and Independence

As a corporate body created under statute, ESHEC is governed by a Council of members, appointed by the Minister of Education and Training for fixed terms, with representation from academia, industry and public stakeholders. The Executive Secretary leads an independent Secretariat, headquartered in Lilunga House, Mbabane.

ESHEC receives funding through government appropriations and fees, as authorised by the Higher Education Act. Although part of the education system, it operates independently of direct ministerial control, with statutory authority to approve or revoke registration and accreditation decisions.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

Under the Higher Education Act, ESHEC holds full authority to:

• Register new institutions (public, private and religious), subject to verification of facilities, governance, staffing and finance;
• Issue provisional operating licences valid for up to two years, allowing institutions to familiarise themselves with ESHEC systems;
• Grant full registration to institutions that meet minimum operating standards;
• Accredit institutions that have operated for at least five years and demonstrate effective academic and administrative systems;
• Conduct institutional audits, thematic evaluations and continuous supervision to ensure compliance;
• Set and update national standards governing governance, academic quality and student welfare.

For programmes or institutions with deficiencies, ESHEC may suspend or withdraw accreditation. Accredited status must be maintained through regular institutional reporting and audits.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ESHEC participates in regional and continental quality assurance networks, including:

• Association of African Universities (AAU);
• Southern African Quality Assurance Network (SAQAN);
• Engagements with UNESCO’s Regional Office for Southern Africa and the AU’s ACQF initiative.

Through these memberships, ESHEC contributes to and benefits from shared best practices, benchmarking, peer reviews and cross-border accreditation recognition.

Current and Emerging Impact on Higher Education

ESHEC is leading a wide-ranging transformation of Eswatini’s tertiary sector:

• The 2024 Higher Education‑Industry Symposium brought together private and public institutions, policymakers and industry to re‑design curricula around AI, ICT, manufacturing, agriculture and professional services;
• ESHEC has updated its accredited institutions list—currently listing some 50 approved providers—as a safeguard for prospective students and families;
• It has begun integrating digital systems to streamline institutional applications, decision‑making and reporting, aiming to reduce turnaround times;
• New focus on TVET‑higher education articulation, micro‑credentials and continuing professional development aligned with the National Skills Anticipation Report.

These actions are increasing public confidence, reducing unaccredited operations and strengthening the global competitiveness of Eswatini’s higher education.

Summary

The Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) serves as the critical guardian of academic quality and institutional credibility in Eswatini’s higher education landscape. Founded by the Higher Education Act of 2013 and enabled in 2015, ESHEC has successfully brought structure to a formerly unregulated sector. Its comprehensive regulatory authority—spanning registration, accreditation, quality assurance and innovation—ensures that all institutions deliver programmes that meet national standards and labour market demands. Participation in regional networks and high‑level collaboration with industry positions ESHEC as a forward‑looking regulator advancing Eswatini’s education agenda into the future.

FAQs

• What is the Eswatini Higher Education Council? ESHEC is the statutory body responsible for regulating, accrediting and auditing all post‑secondary higher education institutions in Eswatini.
• When and why was ESHEC established? ESHEC was created under the Higher Education Act of 2013 and began operations in 2015 to bring order and quality assurance to a previously unregulated tertiary sector.
• How does an institution get accredited in Eswatini? An institution applies for registration and provisional operating authority, must operate for a minimum period (typically five years), then applies for full accreditation. The process includes self‑assessment, peer review and compliance audits.
• How can prospective students check if a university is legitimate? ESHEC maintains a publicly available list of registered and accredited institutions and programmes. Prospective students should verify both their institution and desired programme via ESHEC’s official register.
• For how long is accreditation valid and what happens after? Accreditation does not expire automatically but is subject to ongoing supervision and periodic audits. If compliance slips or remediation fails, ESHEC may suspend or revoke accreditation.
• Is ESHEC internationally recognised? Yes. ESHEC participates in international quality assurance groups such as the Association of African Universities and the Southern African Quality Assurance Network and aligns with continental standards under the African Continental Qualifications Framework.

Organization Name

Eswatini Higher Education Council

Acronym

ESHEC

Year of Establishment

1/01/2015

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Lilunga House, 1st floor
Mbabane
Hhohho Eswatini

Phone

+268 24042278/8119

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Eswatini Higher Education Council's X page

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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