Consolidating resources and managing growth? Challenges and roles of private providers of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The subject of private provision of higher education in sub-Saharan Africa is very important because the region requires a plethora of ideas and solutions to its higher education challenges, dubbed "higher education crisis" by others. Thus, private providers of higher education should become part of the solutions to the problem an should not be seen as a burden. This, however, can only take place if private institutions themselves associate and engage with the problems and partake in the process of finding solutions. This article examines the roles of private higher education institutions in the context of sub-Saharan Africa. Within the context of growth of higher education demand into eh region, it looks at how private institutions are reacting and the challenges that confront them with regard to resources they require in order to keep abreast. Also, this article examines the possible resourcefulness of private higher education sectors and areas that can be improved in order to enhance their roles. Like public higher education institutions, private higher education institutions need to be made part of solutions to Africa's higher education challenges.