UNDP, TIRDO in partnership to drive accelerated Innovation and technology adaptation

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Tanzania) and the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO) have entered a partnership through which the former will support the latter in improving its incubation services through upgrading ICT infrastructure and enhancing the innovation management capacity of its technical staff.  

This will be achieved through the Funguo Innovation Programme whose objectives include contributing towards strengthening the Tanzanian innovation support system under which this initiative falls.

As Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed yesterday by the respective heads of the two agencies, UNDP will cover the costs required to improve TIRDO’s local area network connectivity, refurbish and equip TIRDO’s Technology and Innovation Hub (T-Hub) and training 20 technical TIRDO staff in innovation management.

 “By improving the network infrastructure at TIRDO and installation of stable internet connectivity will support not only innovators but also researchers and mentors of the innovation programme to better support the creation of innovation prototypes, testing and also other day activities of delivering desirable solutions in-house and to other stakeholders including SMEs.” said Prof. Mkumbuka M. A. Mtambo at the signing ceremony.

He added,”This support will range from awareness, training, technical support and technology transfer. Ultimately, TIRDO will be able to support industrialization and commercialization of product and services in Tanzania”

On her part Christine Musisi, the Resident Representative to Tanzania said the new partnership will not only impact TIRDO’s beneficiaries but the entire innovation ecosystem.

“At UNDP, we believe in collaboration and in working with partners to achieve the much-needed impact. We pledge to continue supporting innovation development in Tanzania so that, in the end, we can improve the country’s development”. She said.

The Funguo innovation programme is a UNDP initiative that aims at increasing the number of successfully scaled innovative impact ventures to contribute to the national development goals and the SDGs in Tanzania.

This will be achieved through the programme’s contribution in addressing the stumbling blocks and gaps in the innovation ecosystem that hinder innovative impact ventures from scaling, while promoting an environment that promotes innovation for development and empowers innovators, entrepreneurs, and enablers.

The Funguo programme is currently being funded by the UNDP, European Union and the British Government through FCDO, and implemented by UNDP Tanzania in partnership with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and in close collaboration with Tanzania Commission for Science & Technology and other Government agencies.