Tanzania is seeking to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response systems through science, technology and innovation following the signing of a strategic partnership between the government and the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 8, 2026, between the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities) and DIT, is expected to support the development of research-driven solutions for disaster risk management, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jim Yonazi, said the agreement reflects the Sixth Phase Government’s commitment to building modern and resilient institutions capable of responding to emerging risks.
He said the initiative is in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of promoting knowledge-based governance and harnessing science and technology to address national development challenges.
The partnership also follows recommendations made during the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, convened by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2025.
According to Dr Yonazi, the agreement marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to disaster management, moving beyond emergency response towards prevention, preparedness and risk reduction.
“Research institutions and universities have an important responsibility in generating knowledge and innovative solutions that can strengthen national disaster management systems,” he said.
As part of the collaboration, the government plans to develop a comprehensive implementation framework alongside a National Disaster Management Research Agenda.
The agenda will identify priority areas requiring scientific research and technological interventions to enhance the country’s capacity to anticipate and respond to disasters.
Dr Yonazi noted that the effectiveness of the partnership would ultimately be measured by its impact on citizens’ safety, protection of public assets and the resilience of communities facing increasing environmental and disaster-related risks.
The agreement comes at a time when countries across the globe are investing heavily in technology-driven disaster management systems to cope with the growing frequency of climate-related emergencies and other hazards.
The initiative is also aligned with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which places science, technology and innovation at the centre of sustainable economic growth and social transformation.
DIT Rector, Prof Preksedis Marco Ndomba, described the signing of the agreement as a landmark achievement for the institution, noting that discussions on the partnership had been underway for some time.
He said the institute possesses the technical expertise and research capacity needed to support the government’s efforts in disaster risk management and national resilience building.
“We have the knowledge, the specialists and the institutional capacity required to contribute to this national agenda. We are fully committed to ensuring that this partnership delivers meaningful results,” said Prof Ndomba.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen links between policymakers, researchers and technology experts, creating a platform for developing innovative solutions that can help Tanzania better predict, prevent and manage disasters while safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
