Tanzania has invested a cumulative 103.63bn/- in research and innovation over the past 40 years through the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), with the government aiming to turn these investments into marketable products and economic growth. According to COSTECH Research Officer Ntufye Mwakigonja, 70.61bn/- came from the government's main budget, while 33.02bn/- was mobilised through development funding. Of the total, 94.135bn/- funded research activities and 9.5bn/- supported innovation. The funding reflects a strategic commitment to building national research capacity, encouraging technological development and empowering Tanzanians to generate solutions across different sectors.
Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda has called for research investment to be measured by practical solutions, increased productivity and economic growth rather than research projects or exhibition displays. Speaking at a COSTECH building foundation-stone ceremony in Dodoma, Prof Mkenda urged the commission to turn research and innovation into marketable products and services, and called for stronger collaboration among COSTECH, universities, research institutions, government and the private sector to accelerate commercialisation. COSTECH Director General Dr Amos Nungu said government investment in research must translate into marketable products, sustainable businesses and employment opportunities. "This initiative is not just a financial mechanism, it is a catalyst for turning academic research into real-world solutions," Dr Nungu said.
Several innovations have emerged from COSTECH's support ecosystem. Guavay Company Limited, established in 2014, produces organic and mineral-organic fertilisers under its Hakika brand using local resources such as organic waste, limestone and rock phosphate, serving crops including avocados, rice and onions. Plant Biodefenders Limited, founded by Dr Never Mwambela, develops biopesticides and biofertilisers for sustainable farming, with its VURUGA brand offering six registered products launched in February 2025 for avocado, cotton, coffee, tobacco, cashew and maize, approved by the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority. MazaoHub, supported by COSTECH's incubation programme since December 2021, helps smallholder farmers access reliable soil information and agricultural market services through digital solutions. According to a 2026 European Union fact sheet, MazaoHub has reached over 83,000 farmers and conducted nearly 397,000 soil tests, while growing from two founders to ten employees.
In education technology, Shule Yetu Innovations Limited uses digital technology to improve school administration and communication, serving 230 private schools across nine regions. Smart Darasa, now evolved into Ekima (Elimu Kidigitali Mahali Popote), uses interactive digital content and animations to make science education more practical and accessible. COSTECH's Buni Hub has reached over 10,000 young people and supported more than 20 innovation spaces, helping turn ideas into startups and businesses.
For savers, borrowers, business owners and investors in Tanzania, this investment means the potential for new locally developed technologies that could improve productivity across agriculture, education and digital services, along with employment opportunities in research, production and related sectors. Officials now emphasise that success will be measured by the speed at which innovations reach the market and generate tangible economic returns, with priorities including strengthening commercialisation through financing, certification, intellectual property protection and market access.