IJLTEMAS International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS) IJLTEMAS 2278-2540 IJLTEMAS 412 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150900061 Philosophy Decolonising Oppressive Epistemologies in the Higher Education System Zembere Moni Peace and Governance, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Tinashe Mberi Peace and Governance, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 15 9 1792 1799 15 07 2026 20 07 2026 10 10 2026 Decoloniality Higher Education Africa Knowledge Production Educational Transformation Epistemology Democracy Equality Inclusion Diversity. Abstract

This paper examines the process of decolonizing higher education in Africa through knowledge production in order for educational transformation to take place. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper explores the calls for decoloniality and the practical approaches to decolonizing oppressive epistemologies in higher education. In this context, decoloniality theory serves as an analytical lens for informing both pedagogical approaches and institutional transformations in African higher education. This theory has been selected because it proffers recommendations that support systemic change. Central to this paper is an idea that higher education cannot be thought of in decolonial terms if it remains disconnected from acts of democratic action and transformation, the actions of access and equality. So, to pursue actions related to democratic actions such as equality, liberty, inclusion, tolerance, diversity and innovation is inadequate if education is not connected to such actions.

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