MPs call for increased budget in research, innovation

DODOMA: LAWMAKERS are calling for an increase in the budget allocated to education, research and innovation to accelerate Tanzania’s development agenda. Contributing to the 2025/2026 budget, Members of Parliament, acknowledged the significant achievements made under the country’s Vision 2025, identifying priority areas as the nation sets its sights on Vision 2050.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba presented a draft budget of 56.49tri/- for the upcoming financial year, which focuses on domestic revenue mobilisation, strategic investment, job creation and inclusive economic growth. Members of Parliament began deliberations on the budget proposals on Monday ahead of the new fiscal year, which gets underway on July 1.

Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (nominated), quoting the late former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, argued that education should be the top priority for the country, expressing concerns that national plans did not sufficiently prioritise innovation and research.

He stated that Tanzanians should be adequately trained to oversee major strategic projects currently being implemented by the government, warning that if foreign experts are entrusted with these projects, the country may fail to realise the intended benefits.

Mr Nahodha specifically singled out Nelson Mandela University, calling for increased government funding for the institution, which offers training in data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), among other fields. He suggested that the university should be equipped with a modern laboratory to conduct world-class research and innovation, particularly in science, technology and data analysis.

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“Data analysis and usage are critical components of the contemporary global economy, especially in business and production sectors,” he said.

Mr Nahodha asserted that economic liberation is akin to a war and that education, research, development and innovation are the key weapons to transform the world, hence, called for greater budget allocations to these areas. His sentiments were echoed by Prof Sospeter Muhongo (Musoma Rural, CCM), who advised the government to allocate between 1 and 2 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research, development, and innovation.

Prof Muhongo stated that for Tanzania to achieve an economic growth rate of 8 to 10 per cent, it must invest between 3 and 5 per cent of its GDP in education and science.

The former Minister for Energy and Minerals also called for the promotion of primary sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, cage fishing, forestry, and mining, so that their contribution to GDP reaches 55 per cent.

“We need to increase the contribution of the service sector to 30 per cent and the manufacturing sector to 15 per cent. All countries that have successfully transformed their economies have invested heavily in these primary, secondary and tertiary sectors,” said Prof Muhongo.

For his side, Prof Shukrani Manya (Nominated MP) suggested that research, development and innovation should be applied in agriculture to improve the quality of crops to meet international standards. He also highlighted the importance of research, development and innovation in education and all other government activities.

Prof Manya proposed that national development plans and budgets should consider geographically disadvantaged areas, particularly border areas and islands. He also called on the government to ensure that locals are at the heart of economic development plans and are given priority in key production sectors such as mining, especially smallscale mining and trade.

“We must also prepare locals to take over the management of major projects. We should empower our companies, such as TPDC and STAMICO, to operate and compete efficiently; otherwise, foreign companies will continue to dominate our economy,” added Prof Manya.

Dr Charles Kimei (Vunjo, CCM) also underscored the importance of research, development and innovation, stressing that research & development and innovation should be central to the preparation of national development plans and priorities to ensure that proposals are evidence-based.

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Dr Kimei praised the country’s economy, which grew by 5.2 per cent this financial year, but urged that more effort should be directed toward increasing the private sector’s contribution.

He expressed concerns that, despite receiving government incentives, financial institutions continue to offer high-interest loans. Prof Patrick Ndakidemi (Moshi Rural, CCM) called on the government to tap into the vast potential of rural economies by supporting production sectors in rural areas.