Support to Tanzanian innovation system

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The development objective of TANZIS Programme is in line with the national development strategies of the Government of Tanzania the promotion of economic development and reduction of poverty. The Programme will aim at enhancing national innovation system contributing to Tanzanian companies’ improved competitiveness and access to new markets and creation of new jobs in the country. The Programme has three components :1)Increased innovation through funding and capacity strengthening , 2) developing the national innovation fund (NFAST–I) in the Tanzania Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) and strengthening of COSTECH in its administration, 3) Increased information on the role of innovation in a society. Direct beneficiaries of the Programme are COSTECH), various innovation training and support organizations like business incubators, pre-incubators, innovation spaces, Living Lab-activities, innovation and business programs of the universities and other innovation support organizations and entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations and communities developing innovations. TANZIS will continue TANZICT project which has been carried out during 2011-2016. TANZICT has supported the revision of the national ICT-policy. TANZICT supported also the development of national innovation ecosystem. The most important results were development of business incubators in different parts of Tanzania and development of entrepreneurship and innovation training methodology as part of university of Iringa’s activities. TANZIS will utilize the good results gained during TANZICT in developing innovation activities and broaden the scope from ICT to other potential industrial and service sectors. An external consultant will recruited to support the implementation of the Programme. Finland's support to the TANZIS Programme is 8,95 million euros during 2017-2021.