Minister Jafo underscores commercialisation of research and focus on community well-being
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
In a powerful call to action, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Dr. Selemani Saidi Jafo (MP), urged the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) to intensify research and innovation with a strong focus on community well-being and commercialisation of research outputs.
Speaking at the close of a four-day strategic workshop on research commercialisation held from 25th-28th March2025, Dr. Jafo emphasised the need to transform academic findings into sustainable, market-ready solutions that directly benefit Tanzanians.
“Research and innovation are vital tools for societal transformation. UDSM must lead the way in converting knowledge into tangible, community-cantered impact,” said Dr. Jafo, calling on scholars to produce findings that address real-world needs.
He praised the President, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her visionary leadership in supporting higher education and research, especially through initiatives like the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project. “Her efforts have opened our nation to investment, diplomacy, and scientific progress,” he added.
The Minister highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection, urging innovators to register their work with BRELA to safeguard ownership and boost economic return. He also encouraged industries to collaborate with young innovators through internships and prototyping partnerships, creating job-ready graduates and advancing applied research.
Hon. Ambassador Mwanaidi Maajar, Chairperson of the UDSM Council, echoed the Minister’s message. “Research without impact is a missed opportunity. We are committed to strengthening institutional frameworks that support impactful innovation,” she said.
The role of research and innovation in community well-being
UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof. William A.L. Anangisye, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to linking research with societal needs under the UDSM Vision 2061. “This workshop reinforces our mission to ensure research excellence drives social transformation,” he noted.
Prof. Anangisye cited key initiatives such as the Commercialisation Hub, annual Research and Innovation Week, and Intellectual Property (IP) capacity-building programmes. However, he acknowledged that the pace of research commercialisation still needs to improve.
Prof. Nelson Boniface, Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, emphasised the shift toward people-centric innovation, announcing plans for a new institute focused on community well-being. “It will anchor interdisciplinary efforts to address pressing challenges such as poverty, health and environmental resilience,” he said.
Exhibitions, dialogues and policy influence
Held under the HEET Project, the workshop aligned with UDSM’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and brought together researchers, innovators, government representatives, the private sector, banks and development partners.
The event featured 37 cutting-edge innovations—ranging from agritech to AI-driven solutions—showcased by UDSM students and staff. The final day included strategic policy dialogues, networking, and partnership-building sessions, all aimed at integrating innovation into national industrialisation and inclusive growth agendas.
As Tanzania moves toward a knowledge-based economy under Vision 2050, UDSM’s leadership in research commercialisation is set to drive sustainable development and societal transformation across the country.