Policies on Innovation Science and Technology at
Headquarters Must Reach the Field

Sweden has supported research capacity strengthening in developing countries since the 1970s. Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of Swedish aid with a volume of support to research of approximately USD 8 million/year. Since 2007 Sweden has emphasized the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) in talks with Development Partners (DPs) and the Tanzanian government. Many development partners have programmes that support research in the region and in the country that are usually managed and co-ordinated from headquarters (HQ), but issues concerning STI are seldom raised and streamlined at country level. There are many, though scattered, initiatives to be harmonized and used in a more synergistic and effective way.

As a result of the Paris agenda of aid effectiveness, support through programmes and projects has shifted to general budget support (GBS). However, Tanzania’s budget does not have yet a specified line for research which remains an orphan and un-identified sector. Fourteen DPs are providing GBS and, according to Tanzania’s Joint Assistance Strategy, have narrowed their field of action to three to four sectors, none of them dedicated to research or ICT exclusively. Although Tanzania’s poverty reduction strategy 2005-2010 recognizes the importance of STI for economic growth and the need to increase financing and expand higher education and technological innovation, implementation measures are not well defined and most emphasis is given to promotion of ICT as a cross-cutting issue.

STI is today at the core of many development agendas, the main issue is to move from recognition to implementation and results. A political dialogue is needed to ensure that STI activities are clearly incorporated in poverty reduction strategies and that results can be measured. In the face of immense common challenges a start could be made by providing clear guidelines and building support for field and programme officers.

Source: María Teresa Bejarano, First Secretary, Higher Education and Research, SIDA, Embassy of Sweden, Tanzania.