- COSTECH funds research, manages innovation hubs and supports science-led policy in Tanzania.
- With programmes in ICT, health, and agriculture, it connects researchers, government and industry.
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology delivers
The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, better known as COSTECH, works as the government’s main adviser on research and development. It was set up through an Act of Parliament and its task is clear: to make sure science and technology are used across important parts of the economy, not just discussed in theory.
COSTECH runs innovation funds, manages incubators and looks after science parks. It also works with universities, private companies and NGOs to set national research goals. In practice, this means it helps direct money into ICT, renewable energy, biotechnology, agriculture and health research. Another part of its work is building regional innovation hubs, places where young researchers and entrepreneurs can meet mentors, use shared facilities and build their networks.
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Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology matters
Tanzania’s innovation space still has plenty of obstacles. There is not always enough funding, coordination can be scattered, and local skills to turn research into real products are sometimes missing. COSTECH has stepped in by building clear platforms for innovation and by bringing universities, government and industry to the same table. Over time, this approach has made the commission an important point of reference for scaling up home-grown solutions that answer the country’s social and economic needs.
In the last few years, COSTECH has supported projects ranging from mobile health tools to online learning systems and farming methods that can cope with climate change. These choices reflect the development pressures Tanzania faces today. With its role of linking research with practical results, the commission is pushing the economy towards being more self-reliant and knowledge-based. And as the world competes harder for digital talent, its backing of hubs and science parks is giving Tanzania a stronger place in regional and even global markets.
