Overview: Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)

COSTECH is a government-affiliated parastatal institution. It was established in 1986 by the Tanzania’s National Assembly to replace the National Scientific Research Council of Tanzania. It used to be a subsidiary of the MCST, but it is now part of the Ministry of Education, Technology and Science. Dar es Salaam is home to the company’s headquarters.

COSTECH is presently managed by Doctor Amos Nungu, a former employee of the Ministry of Education, Technology and Science as Assistant Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Function

COSTECH’s mission is to “coordinate and promote technology development and research efforts throughout the country.” It is the government’s “principal advisor on all things relating to technology and science and its application to Tanzania’s socio-economic growth.” The commission is in charge of all government-financed science activities in the nation, and its responsibilities include administering research grants, maintaining a research registry as well as Information services involving science, defining research policy, as well as incentivizing creativity and innovation. Internet, energy, biotechnology, telecommunications, creation of teaching material for multimedia and several others.

COSTECH collaborates with businesses, colleges, and government agencies such as Tanzania’s Development Organization and Industrial Research as well as Tanzania’s Environment Organization and Traditional Energy Development.

Affiliations

Government and Research Organizations

COSTECH’s sister subsidiary institutes under the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology (MCST), in addition to several partnering organizations, include:

• Tanzania Commission for Technology and Science
• Tanzania Atomic Energy Commision (TAEC)
• Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority
• Mbeya University and Technology
• Arusha Technical College
• Dar es Salaam Technology Institute

International and Non-governmental Affiliates

• Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF), under the governance of David B. Mcginty, and Palladium International (previously GRM Futures Group) together with KPMG.
• Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi), under the leadership of Engineer George Mulamula.
• Buni Innovation Hub is a technology-focused tech space- innovation space that focuses on narrowing the skills breach in the young population of Tanzania through a variety of activities, events and programs. They develop capable young people for local acceleration and incubation programs. Since 2013, Brian Paul and Jumanne Mtambalike, the managers of the hub, have directed the initiative.
• TANZICT is a joint venture between Tanzania’s MCST and Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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