Ethiopia has disqualified more than 61 private university campuses in Addis Ababa after a government review found widespread non-compliance with education standards, while granting a limited window for reform to institutions showing potential.

The Education and Training Authority (ETA) announced the findings at a high-level event at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Arat Killo, near parliament. Education Minister Birhanu Nega described the assessment as a sector-wide wake-up call. “There is not a single higher education institution that satisfies the original qualification,” he said. “Institutions with no potential have been disqualified for the sake of the public and the sector. Those with a chance to improve are given one year to meet the required standards.”

Standards were revised twice during the evaluation process, ultimately classifying institutions into three categories. Three institutions — two universities and 17 programs — met the modified standards and received licenses. A second group, 25 institutions comprising 37 campuses and 146 programs, was given a one-year and six-month window to comply. The remaining institutions, over 61 campuses covering 256 programs, were disqualified.

Analysts say the crackdown could reshape investor confidence and the sector’s credibility, compelling private universities to prioritize governance, infrastructure, and academic quality as demand for higher education continues to grow.

Some private college owners argued that the compliance period is insufficient and that the standards do not fully reflect sector realities. Officials said students from disqualified institutions can transfer to nearby schools offering the same programs, or, where none exist, the institution must graduate existing students before closure.