Tanzania's Higher Education Students' Loans Board has set its sights on slashing loan disbursement times from one or two days to just two seconds, following its achievement of ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification. The board plans to reach this target by integrating its systems with mobile network operators, allowing eligible students to receive funds instantly once all necessary procedures are completed. The move represents a dramatic shift from the board's current operations, which still rely on processes that can take at least a full day after approval.
HESLB Executive Director Dr Bill Kiwia explained the rationale for the accelerated timeline during the certification handover ceremony. He said the board has already made substantial progress in digitising its operations, enabling students to apply for loans, verify personal details, monitor their accounts and transfer funds using smartphones. Previously, HESLB relied on manual, paper-based processes that required extensive preparation, including arranging transport for loan application exercises across different regions. The board has also integrated its systems with banking platforms, further streamlining the process.
Since its establishment, HESLB has supported more than one million students nationwide, disbursing nearly 9 trillion Tanzanian shillings in loans. The board's Executive Director described this figure as a major investment in human capital, noting it was comparable to the investment in Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway but directed toward developing people rather than infrastructure. For savers and borrowers in Tanzania, faster loan disbursement means students can access educational financing more quickly, reducing delays in enrollment and study programmes.
The ISO 9001:2015 certification covers HESLB's headquarters, its Zanzibar office and zonal offices in Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza and Mtwara. The board has begun preparations for two additional certifications: ISO 27001, which focuses on information security management, and ISO 37001, which covers anti-bribery management systems. Tanzania Bureau of Standards Director General Dr Ashura Katunzi congratulated HESLB on the achievement, saying the certification will strengthen institutional systems and improve service delivery while requiring continuous monitoring and regular improvements to maintain compliance.