Elias Saambiri Kainkwa is a highly accomplished professional with a strong academic background. Holding two master's degrees—a Master of Arts (MA) in Information Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Development Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam—Kainkwa has demonstrated exceptional expertise in research, library, Internet, open education resources, and environmental aspects. 

He also earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam, laying the foundation for a distinguished academic and professional career. Kainkwa's research has focused on open education resources, research, the internet, and environmental aspects, resulting in one peer-reviewed publication in high-impact journals and presentations at one local proceedings conference. 

Additionally, Kainkwa had the privilege of supporting Professor Wallace Chigona of the University of Cape Town and Professor Edda Tandi Lwoga of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Library at the time in their research project, "Contribution of information and communication technologies for gender empowerment and sustainable development in Tanzania," which was split into two phases: qualitative and quantitative. The study was funded by COSTECH—September 2014–November 2015.