What began as a struggle to survive through small-scale mechanical work has evolved into a growing manufacturing enterprise after local innovator Adam Zacharia received support from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).
The inventor, whose journey was marked by financial hardship and limited access to modern equipment, says government-backed support worth more than TZS 96 million has enabled him to develop agricultural processing machinery, manufacture vehicle spare parts and create employment opportunities for young people.
Speaking in Mbeya, Zacharia said his ambition has always been to use technology to address challenges facing farmers and improve productivity in the agricultural sector.
“My dream has been to develop technologies that can help farmers and contribute to economic development. I started with a mobile garage project as a way of earning a living, but I wanted to do much more,” he said.
His breakthrough came in 2019 when COSTECH identified his innovation during a national exhibition that brought together innovators from across the country.
According to Zacharia, the exhibition provided an opportunity for innovators to present their ideas and explain the obstacles limiting their growth. For him, the biggest challenge was the lack of modern machinery and production equipment.
The support that followed enabled him to acquire advanced tools and expand his operations into the design and manufacture of agricultural processing machines capable of competing with imported alternatives.
Today, the machines are helping farmers reduce the time and labour required to process crops, while improving efficiency and productivity.
“The technology has helped many farmers cut processing time and reduce dependence on manual labour. It has become a practical solution for those looking to improve productivity and post-harvest handling,” he said.
Beyond supporting agriculture, the enterprise has emerged as a training and employment centre for young people.
Zacharia said students from various colleges and technical institutions regularly undertake practical training at his workshop, with some eventually establishing their own businesses.
“Many young people who trained here have gone on to start income-generating projects of their own. That is one of the most rewarding outcomes of this initiative,” he said.
Despite the progress, Zacharia cited product registration and certification requirements as among the hurdles facing local innovators seeking to enter regional and international markets.
He called for continued support to help innovators strengthen their technical and business skills and scale up commercially viable technologies.
Zacharia also credited government support for encouraging innovation and broadening the tax base.
“When innovators are supported and their businesses grow, they become contributors to the economy through taxes and job creation. I am grateful to COSTECH and the government for helping me reach this stage,” he said.
For its part, COSTECH says supporting innovators remains central to the country’s efforts to commercialise research and promote technology-driven development.
The Acting Director of Technology Development and Transfer at COSTECH, Dr Erasto Mlyuka, said the government recognised the potential of Zacharia’s innovation and provided equipment valued at about TZS 60 million to strengthen his capacity and enable him to mentor other young innovators.
He said the President Samia Suluhu Hassan Innovation Commercialisation Fund has allocated more than TZS 4 billion to support youth-led innovations, particularly those with the potential to transform agriculture and other productive sectors.
“Our role is to ensure innovators receive the support needed to transform ideas into commercially viable products that address real societal challenges,” Dr Mlyuka said.
As COSTECH approaches its 40th anniversary, he said the institution is expanding efforts to connect innovators with research institutions, technology hubs and financing opportunities across the country.
“A single innovation can create opportunities for many others. The benefits extend beyond the inventor to communities, young people and entire sectors of the economy,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries working with Zacharia, Mr Ernest Makanga, said the initiative has provided valuable employment and skills development opportunities for young technicians.
“This work has improved my livelihood and given me practical experience. It has shown how innovation can create opportunities for ordinary Tanzanians,” he said.
The story of Adam Zacharia underscores the growing impact of public investment in innovation and highlights how technology-driven entrepreneurship can contribute to agricultural transformation, job creation and industrial development in Tanzania.
