1. The National Science, Technology and Innovations Policy (Under preparation)

The 1996 Science and Technology (ST) Policy is being reviewed to formulate the new National Science, Technology and Innovations (SIT) Policy. The new policy, which will include Innovation, a component that was missing in the previous policy, is going guide the nation towards more effective utilization of STI capacities and capabilities in order to develop, transform and utilize resources which it is endowed. The policy focuses on national STI agenda, institutional legal and regulatory framework, humans resource capacity development, STI funding, technology transfer and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), new and emerging technologies, strategic collaboration and partnerships and cross-cutting issues.

2. National ICT Policy of 2003

The National ICT policy was formulated in 2003 to address issues that were by then prevailing such as poor harmonization of initiatives that led to random adoption of different systems and standards, unnecessary duplication of efforts, and waste of scarce resources, especially through the loss of potential synergies.

The policy states Tanzania’s vision on ICT which is “to become a hub of ICT Infrastructure and ICT solutions that enhance sustainable socio-economic development and accelerated poverty reduction both nationally and globally.”

The policy has ten main focus areas in harnessing ICT in Tanzania namely Strategic ICT Leadership; ICT Infrastructure; ICT Industry; Human Capital; Legal and Regulatory Framework; Productive Sector; Service Sector; Public Service; Local Content; and Universal Communicatios Access. For more Information click here

3. National Telecommunications Policy of 1997

The National Telecommunication Policy (NTP) was formulated in 2003 with the view to ensure accelerated development of an efficient telecommunications network and universal access to telecommunications services by all sectors of the national economy.
The main objective of the policy is to ensure that telecommunication services are provided in a liberalized and competitive manner. For more Information click here

4. National Postal Policy of 2003

The National Postal Policy (NPP) was formulated in 2003 to provide the Postal sector with a clear direction for its development as well as provides a vital linkage with the policy directions of other sectors of the economy.

The policy envisage that a modern Postal system can help provide logistical solutions to integrate data and information flows, physical movement of mails and financial transactions. The post can offer ordering and delivery functions for electronic commerce (e-commerce), and become a reliable center which provides payment services for business and customers. The use of Postal retail outlets as access points to the Internet via public terminals is a major opportunity for exploitation in future. For more Information click here

5. The National Biotechnology Policy (Under preparation)

8. The National Research Policy (Under preparation)

The National Research Policy under preparation is going to provide guidance on national research management, undertaking of research and research performance evaluation, capacity building in order to exploit the national and other resources efficiently for socio-economic advancement. The policy addresses each of the following critical areas: national research agenda; legal and regulatory framework; research management system; research funding; human resource development and facilities; strategic collaboration and partnership; information management system; gender and other factors of inequality; and research ethics.

9. The National Nuclear Technology Policy (Under preparation)

The National Nuclear Technology policy under preparation is expected to put in place appropriate mechanisms for the country to be able to developed and utilise nuclear technologies safely and peacefully for sustainable social economical development. The policy is going to focus in nuclear technologies application in the following areas: health; food security (both agriculture and livestock development); natural resources development; industrial use and in the energy sector. Cross cutting issues in nuclear sciences like safety and security; environment; funding and international cooperation are also going to be covered by the policy.

10. The National Guidelines for Innovators and Inventors (Under preparation)

The National Guidelines for Innovators and Inventors under preparation aim at facilitating application and commercialization of inventions and technologies arising from research and development (R&D) by institutions, individual inventors and SMEs. The guidelines will be used as directives for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of issues related to innovations and inventions so that they stimulate, encourage, and assist inventors, entrepreneurs and innovative groups in the development and commercialization of new inventions and technology-based products or processes.

Strategic goals

In implementing these policies the Ministry has come up with eight strategic goals as follows:

1. Coordination, promotion and monitoring of ICT and STI strengthened;
2. Collaboration between R&D Institutes, private sector and Government in ICT and STI enhanced;
3. Funding for ICT and STI activities progressively increased to 1.5% of GDP by 2011;
4. Institutional capacity for development and application of ICT and STI attained by 2011;
5. Human resource capacity and capability in service delivery enhanced;
6. National, regional and international strategic partnerships in ICT and STI well coordinated;
7. Good governance and organization systems improved;
8. National ICT and STI agenda developed, adapted and mainstreamed into all sectors of the national economy.