THE ZCAS University

What THE ZCAS University does

THE ZCAS University is a private higher education institution headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, operating as a subsidiary of the Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS). Established in 2016, the institution holds Tier 1 Higher Education Institution status authorized by Zambia's Higher Education Authority under Act No. 4 of 2013. It serves individual learners — primarily school leavers, working professionals, and career changers in Zambia — through undergraduate and postgraduate programmes delivered across four academic schools: the School of Business, School of Social Sciences, School of Computing Technology and Applied Sciences (SOCTAS), and the School of Law. A fifth school, Tourism and Hospitality Management, is scheduled to open in 2026.

The university operates a tuition-driven revenue model supplemented by graduation fees (ZMW800 plus gown purchases), short learning programmes, and consultancy services through the ClinEarth unit. Academic delivery is supported by conventional open-source infrastructure: Moodle as the learning management system, the ESIS student information system, Koha for library services, and DSpace as the institutional repository. Courses are offered in full-time, part-time, evening, and distance modes, with merit scholarships providing 50-70% tuition waivers.

The institution differentiates through international articulation partnerships with the University of Greenwich (UK) and NCC Education (UK), enabling foreign credential pathways, and has recently expanded its product surface with a PhD in Business Administration and the launch of the ZCAS University Press. Customer concentration risk is structurally low given the B2C individual-learner model, though geographic concentration in Zambia is high and no revenue, enrolment, or pricing figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

THE ZCAS University

Legal name

ZCAS University Limited

Website

https://zcasu.edu.zm

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

THE ZCAS University is a Lusaka-based private higher education institution operating four academic schools that deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to school leavers, working professionals, and career changers across Zambia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Postgraduate education
• Professional certification courses
• Distance learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Core revenue from undergraduate and postgraduate tuition across multiple delivery modes including full-time, part-time, evening, and distance education programmes
2. Short Learning Programmes: Short courses and professional development programmes offered alongside degree programmes
3. Graduation Fees: Mandatory graduation fee of ZMW800 plus optional gown hire/purchase services generating ancillary revenue
4. Consultancy Services: Training and consultancy services through partnerships including ClinEarth Consultancy

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZCAS University is a Tier 1 private university in Zambia that delivers higher education through undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programmes, plus professional diplomas and short learning programmes, organised across four academic schools: School of Business, School of Social Sciences, School of Computing, Technology and Applied Sciences (SOCTAS), and School of Law. Programmes are delivered via multiple modes—full-time, part-time, evening, and distance education—with online application, learning, and library platforms supporting the academic experience.

Product overview

ZCAS University is a Tier 1 private university in Zambia established in 2016, offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programmes across four schools: School of Business, School of Social Sciences, School of Computing, Technology and Applied Sciences (SOCTAS), and School of Law. The university provides undergraduate degrees (Bachelor's programmes in Law, Computing, Business, Social Sciences), postgraduate degrees (Master's programmes in Project Management, Business Administration, Laws, Procurement and Logistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Information Technology, Data Science, International Trade), doctoral programmes (PhD in Business Administration), professional qualifications (NCC Education Diplomas in Computing and Cyber Security), and short learning programmes in technology and business skills. The institution supports its educational offerings through digital platforms including a Student Information System (ESIS), Moodle-based E-Learning Portal, Library Services (Koha, DSpace), and eJournal publication platform. Programmes are delivered through multiple modes: full-time, part-time, evening, and distance education, enabling access for diverse student populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZCAS University Press: University press that published 'Digital Transformation in Emerging Economies: The Future of Business, Education and Governance' book in 2025.

Products and services

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Commercial Law Four-year undergraduate law degree specialising in Commercial Law, preparing students for legal practice and corporate legal advisory roles.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Generic Four-year undergraduate law degree covering foundational and advanced legal subjects including Contract Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Commercial Law.
• Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Laws (LLM) Postgraduate degree programme equipping candidates with knowledge and skills in Business and Corporate and Commercial Law, completed in 18 months to 3 years.
• Bachelor of Science in Business Computing Undergraduate programme combining computing skills with business knowledge, preparing graduates for technology roles in business environments.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Undergraduate degree programme in Computer Science offered by the School of Computing, Technology and Applied Sciences.
• Bachelor of Science in Computing with Education Undergraduate programme combining Computing studies with Education, preparing graduates to teach Computing at secondary school level.
• Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering Undergraduate programme covering software development and evolution as an engineering discipline, preparing students to develop and maintain software systems.
• Bachelor of Science in Network Engineering Undergraduate programme addressing ICT knowledge demand in Zambia's private and public sectors, covering computer network engineering.
• Bachelor of Science in Mobile Computing Undergraduate programme covering mobile computing technologies and ICT enhancement in Zambia's growing digital economy.
• Bachelor of Science in Internet Technology and Security Undergraduate programme covering ICT applications across various sectors with focus on internet technologies and security.
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Undergraduate programme covering computer technology applications across the economy, preparing students for ICT roles.
• Master of Science in Information Technology Postgraduate programme in Information Technology offered and administered by ZCAS University.
• Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and Crime Science Undergraduate programme addressing security and crime science needs in Zambia, covering broad spectrum of crime analysis and security management.
• Bachelor of Science in Data Science Undergraduate degree programme covering data science fundamentals, preparing students to leverage data for decision-making across industries.
• NCC Education Diploma in Cyber Security Three-year diploma programme in Cyber Security offered in partnership with NCC Education, covering network security, ethical hacking, computer forensics, and information security assessments.
• NCC Level 3 Diploma in Computing International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies in Computing, offered in partnership with NCC Education.
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance Undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance within the School of Business, preparing students for professional accounting careers.
• Bachelor of Accounting with Education Undergraduate programme combining Accounting studies with Education, aimed at preparing graduates to teach Accounting at secondary school level.
• Bachelor of Arts in Financial Services Undergraduate degree programme in Financial Services within the School of Business.
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics Undergraduate degree in Economics within the School of Social Sciences.
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management Undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management within the School of Social Sciences.
• Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration Undergraduate degree programme in Public Administration and Management designed to meet demand for qualified Administration and Management employees.
• Bachelor of Science in Development Studies Undergraduate degree programme covering development theories, practices, and policy analysis.
• Bachelor of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation Undergraduate degree programme designed to meet demand for qualified project monitors and evaluators in various organisations. Duration: 4-6 years full-time, 5-7 years evening/part-time/distance.
• Master of Science in Project Management (MPM) Postgraduate programme equipping students with knowledge and skills in Project Management, preparing them to handle projects of various magnitude and complexity in construction, IT, and other sectors. Duration: 18 months to 3 years.
• Master of Business Administration in Business Leadership and Management Strategy Professional management development programme at postgraduate level emphasising theory and practice of leadership and strategic management. Duration: 18 months to 3 years.
• Master of Science in Procurement and Logistics Postgraduate programme equipping students with procurement skills for today's rapidly changing procurement landscape, applying global concepts in local environment. Duration: 18 months to 3 years.
• Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation Postgraduate programme covering monitoring and evaluation theories, practices, and applications in project management contexts.
• Master of Science in International Trade and Trade Policy (MITP) Postgraduate programme covering international trade concepts and trade policy analysis.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration Senior academic degree programme qualifying holders to teach and conduct research in Business Administration disciplines.
• Short Learning Programmes Short-duration professional development programmes covering Graphics Design and Animation, Web Designing, Audio-Video Editing, Print and Publishing, and other technology and business skills courses.
• Training and Consultancy Services Training and consultancy services provided through the Directorate of Research, Consultancy and Innovation, including specialised professional development programmes offered to students and external clients in partnership with bodies such as ClinEarth Consultancy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000 graduates celebrated at 9th Graduation Ceremony (September 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ClinEarth ConsultancyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 June 2025Training and consultancy services provider affiliated with ZCAS University. Offers specialized professional development programmes to students and external clients.
• University of GreenwichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation partnership offering joint postgraduate and undergraduate degree programmes. Students benefit from validated curricula and dual credential opportunities through this collaboration.
• NCC EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing NCC Education computing programmes including NCC Level 3 Diploma in Computing and NCC Education Diploma in Cyber Security. Programmes are delivered locally with international certification.
• Higher Education Authority (HEA)coreOthersGovernment regulatory body that granted ZCAS University Tier 1 Higher Education Institution status under Act No. 4 of 2013, enabling the university to award qualifications up to PhD level.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cavendish University Zambia: Private multi-disciplinary university in Lusaka offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business, law, computing, and health sciences; directly comparable to ZCAS in size, private status, and programme mix in the same Zambian market.
• University of Lusaka (UNILUS): Private Zambian university offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across business, law, education, and technology; competes directly with ZCAS for the same Lusaka-based school leaver and working professional segments.
• Zambia Catholic University: Private faith-affiliated university in Zambia offering multi-disciplinary programmes; directly comparable private university peer competing for similar student demographics in the Zambian market.
• Lusaka Apex Medical University (LAMU): Private Zambian university focused on health sciences and related programmes; private-sector peer operating in the same regulatory environment under HEA with overlapping student recruitment channels.
• Africa Nazarene University: Private faith-based university in Zambia offering multi-disciplinary programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels; direct peer in private-sector higher education competing for the same student pool in Zambia.

Broad incumbents

• University of Zambia (UNZA): The largest public university in Zambia offering comprehensive undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across all major disciplines; the dominant incumbent against which all private Zambian universities, including ZCAS, compete on cost and perceived prestige.
• Copperbelt University: Major public university in Zambia offering multi-disciplinary programmes including business, technology, and law; sets the public-sector benchmark for tuition pricing and programme quality in the same national market.
• Mulungushi University: Public Zambian university providing undergraduate and postgraduate education across business, science, and social sciences; broad public-sector incumbent comparable in programme breadth, if not in private-sector positioning.

Emerging players

• Ashesi University: Private non-profit liberal arts and sciences university in Ghana offering accredited undergraduate programmes; comparable emerging private African university model demonstrating alternative path for African private higher education, though regionally distinct.
• African Leadership University: Pan-African network of private universities offering undergraduate programmes with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda; comparable emerging private African higher education model targeting similar professional and leadership-oriented student segments, though geographically broader.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZCASU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-zcas-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE ZCAS University