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Tanzania PM Challenges University to Foster Job Creators

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. hallenges-university-to-foster-job-creators.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, February 23rd 2026 at 6:45 GMT by The Citizen
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Arusha, Tanzania - February 23rd, 2026 - Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa's recent visit to the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha has sparked a crucial national conversation regarding the role of higher education in fostering economic growth and addressing Tanzania's development challenges. The Prime Minister issued a direct challenge to the institution: move beyond producing job seekers and begin cultivating job creators. This call isn't merely a shift in rhetoric; it signals a growing national desire to transition Tanzania from a consumer-based economy to one driven by innovation, production, and entrepreneurship.

For years, the traditional model of higher education in Tanzania, and across much of Africa, has focused on preparing students for existing employment opportunities. While this approach has yielded some results, it's increasingly clear that it's insufficient to address the rapidly changing economic landscape and the pressing need for sustainable development. Tanzania, like many emerging economies, faces significant hurdles including limited employment opportunities, reliance on imported goods, and challenges in key sectors like agriculture, water management, and energy production.

NM-AIST, established as a Pan-African center of excellence in science, engineering, and technology, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. The institute's focus on problem-solving and applied research aligns perfectly with the Prime Minister's vision. However, realizing this vision requires a fundamental shift in pedagogical approach. It necessitates moving beyond theoretical knowledge and embracing practical skills development, particularly in areas critical for entrepreneurship - business planning, financial literacy, marketing, and innovation management.

Professor Roseanne Muthoni, Rector of NM-AIST, assured the Prime Minister of the institute's commitment to fulfilling its mandate. While reassuring, this commitment requires concrete action. NM-AIST needs to actively integrate entrepreneurship education into all its programs, not as a separate elective, but as a core component. This could involve establishing incubation centers within the institute, fostering partnerships with local businesses and investors, and providing students with opportunities to develop and pitch their own innovative solutions to real-world problems. Recent data from the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) shows a growing appetite for investment in technology-driven startups, a market NM-AIST graduates are ideally positioned to serve, if adequately prepared.

Furthermore, NM-AIST's mandate to address national challenges must be amplified. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted agriculture, water, and energy as priority areas. This requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from various departments within the institute to develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions. For example, research into smart irrigation techniques could address water scarcity in agriculture, while advancements in renewable energy technologies could alleviate the country's reliance on fossil fuels. The implementation of AI-powered agricultural techniques, currently being piloted in the Southern Highlands, could significantly boost crop yields and improve food security - areas where NM-AIST could provide crucial research support and skilled personnel.

The government's commitment to supporting NM-AIST is essential. Increased funding for research and development, infrastructure upgrades, and scholarships for talented students are all critical investments. However, funding alone isn't enough. A collaborative ecosystem involving academia, industry, and government is necessary to ensure that research findings are translated into practical applications and that innovations reach the market. The establishment of a national innovation fund, as proposed by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, could play a pivotal role in facilitating this process.

The challenge laid down by Prime Minister Majaliwa is not unique to NM-AIST. It's a call to action for all higher education institutions in Tanzania. The country's future prosperity depends on its ability to cultivate a generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers who can drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for all Tanzanians. The success of NM-AIST in embracing this new paradigm will serve as a blueprint for other institutions and a catalyst for national transformation.