COSTECH highlights the protection of youth innovation rights
DODOMA: The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has stated that the Government continues to establish an enabling environment for young innovators by providing them with capital, protecting their intellectual property rights, and connecting them with various institutions to ensure their innovations reach commercialization and contribute to the national economic development.
This was stated by COSTECH Director General, Dr. Amos Nungu, after visiting the Youth Pavilion featuring participants in the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) Program at the ongoing National and International Agricultural Exhibition (Nanenane) at the Dr John Samweli Malecela Grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma.
Dr Nungu said that in addition to visiting the pavilion, he had the opportunity to meet with innovators both within and outside the BBT program to listen to their challenges and views, and to inform them of the steps being taken by the government to empower young innovators.
The COSTECH chief added that the Commission has established various systems to support innovators, including seed funding, credit guarantee schemes, and linkages with other institutions to help them access capital with the aim of ensuring young people’s innovations reach the market.
“However, we have identified that these youth still face challenges, including company registration, product identification, and securing various permits. That is why we met with them along with other stakeholders to listen to these challenges and find a joint solution,” he said.
He noted that the meeting also brought together various stakeholders, including the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the Fertilizer Regulatory Authority, and other institutions involved in the agricultural and innovation sectors.
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According to Dr Nungu, the feedback provided by the youth has been received and will be acted upon to improve the innovation environment in the country.
He stated that one of the prioritized areas is the protection of innovators’ Intellectual Property rights, explaining that innovations need to be protected to be beneficial to both the innovators and the nation at large.
He cited the example of a young innovator who developed a technology to manufacture fertilizer using hair. The youth initially started his innovation without COSTECH’s support but later received assistance from the institution to register and protect his intellectual property—a step that enabled him to secure investment and funding from abroad.
“This shows that Government support is not just about money, but also about building a friendly environment that enables innovators to protect their work, refine it, and bring it to market,” he said.
Furthermore, Dr Nungu said the youth requested the Government, through COSTECH, to convey their concerns regarding the repayment terms of loans issued by local councils. They explained that the grace period before repayment starts is too short and does not give them enough time to develop their projects before making payments.
He stated that COSTECH has received the request and will discuss it with the relevant authorities to determine the best way to make the lending environment more supportive for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
The executive concluded that the meeting was a great success and demonstrated the Government’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with young people to strengthen the innovation, research, and technology ecosystem for national development.
