Joseph Isangura
The Government of Tanzania has introduced a groundbreaking international scholarship program aimed at top-performing high school graduates in science subjects.
Unveiled by the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the new initiative is named “Mama Samia 360 – DSP/AI+” and will support students who excel in science at the A-Level to pursue undergraduate degrees at some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
“This program is about identifying our brightest young minds and giving them the tools and access they need to compete on a global scale,” Prof. Mkenda said during his presentation of the Ministry’s 2025/26 budget in Dodoma, the nation’s capital.
The program focuses on cutting-edge disciplines including data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and computer science. The structure is divided into three key phases: a 10-month intensive preparatory training camp for A-Level graduates, facilitation for admission and sponsorship at top universities abroad, and post-graduate development at institutions like the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha and a partnering campus in Zanzibar linked to an Indian university.
Prof. Mkenda emphasized that the initiative is designed not only to provide international exposure but also to ensure the students return with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and development back home.
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In addition, the government will continue offering support for students pursuing nuclear science and will invest further in research programs across critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture, business, and environmental science.
To fund these ambitious efforts, the Ministry has requested a total budget of TSh 2.436 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year. Of this, over TSh 688 billion is set aside for routine operations, while TSh 1.747 trillion will go toward development initiatives.
The program reflects Tanzania’s commitment to long-term transformation through investment in youth and technology. It also aligns with the country’s broader development goals under its national roadmap, Vision 2025, which aims to elevate Tanzania to a middle-income and knowledge-based economy.
Students, parents, and educators interested in the scholarship program can find more information through the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB).
