Joseph Isangura
In a high-profile event held at the headquarters of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH),
The Government of Tanzania, working closely with CRDB Foundation, announced a major milestone in empowering youth innovators across the country.
The event was graced by Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who highlighted the impact of the Samia Innovation Fund — a financing initiative designed to support scientific, technological, and business concepts developed by young Tanzanians. According to the Deputy Minister, the Government initially allocated US $1 million (approximately Tsh 2.3 billion) into the fund to provide accessible capital to creative and innovative youth-led ventures.
“This funding represents a deliberate commitment to advancing innovation and accelerating youth participation in the national economy,” Deputy Minister Ameir stated during the ceremony.
The initiative was established in November 2024, and since then COSTECH, together with CRDB Foundation, has worked closely to identify, mentor, and finance promising innovators from across Tanzania. Through this concerted effort, government officials announced that more than 3,000 innovators have now been registered and engaged with the fund to develop commercial solutions and scalable enterprises.
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Central to today’s announcement was the enhanced partnership between the Government and CRDB Foundation, which has boosted the fund to a total of Tsh 4.6 billion, combining the Government’s original contribution with an equivalent amount from the Foundation.
The Samia Fund operates as a revolving financing mechanism, where funds issued as loans to innovators are repaid and then re-used to benefit additional applicants. COSTECH Director General Dr Amos Nungu emphasised that this model is intended to create long-term sustainability and support for youth engagement in innovation, job creation, and industrial growth.
Despite the progress, Deputy Minister Wanu Hafidh also expressed concern that uptake of the funds has been slower than anticipated. In the first 10 months since the programme began, only a fraction of the available capital — approximately Tsh 700 million — has been drawn down by innovators, with only a handful of youth having completed the full loan process.
In addition to loan support, the partnership has emphasised financial literacy, mentoring, and business development support to help youth innovators transition their ideas from concept to market. CRDB Foundation has played a critical role in designing outreach campaigns, training sessions, and practical support frameworks that help applicants refine business plans and meet financing requirements.
The initiative also reinforces wider efforts by the Government to strengthen science and technology sectors in Tanzania, including targeted financing, research infrastructure, and innovation hubs, in line with national development goals.
