The Chairperson of the Board of the Tanzania Hubs Network (THN), Dr. Irene Shubi Isinika, speaking at the ceremony to commend pioneering innovation stakeholders held alongside the THN Annual General Meeting in Dar es Salaam recently. Since its establishment in 2020, THN has been at the forefront of building an innovation ecosystem by empowering innovation hubs to support innovators and entrepreneurs in driving social and economic development.
The Chairperson of the Board of the Tanzania Hubs Network (THN), Dr. Irene Shubi Isinika (right), presenting an honorary award to the Project Manager of the Funguo Program run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. Joseph Manirakiza, in recognition of his contribution to innovation development in the country. This took place during the ceremony to commend innovation stakeholders held alongside the THN Annual General Meeting in Dar es Salaam recently.
Senior Lecturer at the College of Information and Communication Technologies of the University of Dar es Salaam and Innovation Coordinator through the university’s innovation hub (UDICTI), Dr. Moses Ismail (left), receiving an award presented by the Tanzania Hubs Network (THN) from the Country Director of the Westerwelle Tanzania Foundation, Mr. Isaack Shalo, at a ceremony organized by THN in Dar es Salaam to recognize pioneering stakeholders who have contributed to the advancement of innovation in the country.
By Peter Mgongo, Dar es Salaam
In recognizing the contribution of stakeholders who have supported the growth of innovation in the country, the Tanzania Hubs Network (THN) organized an official ceremony to commend pioneering innovation stakeholders, alongside the network’s annual general meeting.
Speaking at the ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Executive Director of the network, Mr. Kiko Kiwanga, said the network, which was established in 2020, connects more than 62 hubs across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, bringing together innovation hubs from universities, organizations, governmental bodies, and private centers.
“Today is a very special day for our ecosystem because since we began, this is our first annual meeting, which started this morning with the guest of honor being the Director of the ICT Commission, Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga. We are now doing something unique within our ecosystem to recognize stakeholders who have made significant contributions in advancing innovation and strengthening these hubs.”
“The contributions of these stakeholders have always been acknowledged, but today, for the first time, we are holding this event to recognize the pioneering stakeholders who have put great effort into ensuring that young innovators and startup entrepreneurs grow and receive support within our ecosystem,” said Mr. Kiwanga.
Speaking about the THN Network, the director said that since its establishment, it has been at the forefront of building an innovation ecosystem by empowering innovation hubs to support innovators and entrepreneurs to drive social and economic development.
“We call upon the government to increase investment in supporting youth through this network, enabling them to achieve their innovation goals and establish companies with great potential to create jobs and solve various societal challenges. These hubs have done tremendous work in preparing young people, many come in without any ideas at all, and they are supported until they develop concrete concepts.”
Speaking at the event, one of the stakeholders who received an award, Dr. Moses Ismail, a Senior Lecturer at the College of Information and Communication Technologies of the University of Dar es Salaam and Innovation Coordinator through the university’s innovation hub (UDICTI), said that although the university engages in teaching, research, community service, and consultancy, with innovation and entrepreneurship taught to first-year students for many years, in 2010 the college established the UDICTI innovation hub with the aim of providing practical innovation training.
“The hub provides a dedicated workspace, specialized training in developing innovative products, and linkages to innovation stakeholders who can support the work they undertake.”
“Innovation is a crucial tool for the development of a country and its people because it enhances the value of local innovative products. Many of us rely heavily on imported products, yet locally we have various innovative products that help our students become major contributors to the production of these products, which eventually grow into companies and help increase employment, especially at a time when we want our university graduates to be key drivers of job creation rather than job seekers,” said Dr. Ismail.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA), Mr. Godfrey Nyaisa, speaking at the event, urged innovators, especially those running startups to register their businesses with BRELA so they can benefit from various guidelines that will enable them to operate efficiently. He also challenged the THN Network to involve government authorities in their day-to-day operations.
With a vision of strengthening collaboration, providing resources, and promoting knowledge exchange among its members, THN also collaborates with the Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) to strengthen the innovation environment and promote the establishment of innovation hubs in various regions.
