Catalysing and Scaling Innovation In Tanzania

More documents

Recommendations

Info

CATALYSING AND SCALING Innovation in Tanzania: A review of approaches • INTRODUCTIONDuring the past six years, HDIF has been conveningplayers that are involved in the innovation process –including the government, funders, the private sectorand the innovators themselves – to createthe network and systems needed to takeinnovations beyond the prototype phase andrealise deep and lasting impact. HDIF has beenInvesting in Social Innovation and Technology in Tanzania • Investing in the ecosystemBANKSuniversitiesDONORSresearchinstitutionsfundersacademiahubsenablerscatalysing new approaches to delivering basic servicesand the uptake of new technologies; involving newproviders; and establishing new partnerships betweenthe private sector, development agencies, and public–private partnerships. It has also connected andsupported the innovation hubs, which play a crucialrole in assisting innovators in prototyping,commercialising, and anchoring their solutions. AndHDIF continues to work in partnership withTanzania’s Commission for Science and Technology(COSTECH), a network of hubs, donor-fundedprogrammes, and other stakeholders, to support aculture of innovation and the country’s burgeoninginnovation ecosystem.Over time, HDIF has supported a range of innovationswith divergent needs and routes to scale. Someinnovations in its portfolio have a deep social impact,but do not have a strong commercial valueproposition. In contrast, others have the potential toevolve into business propositions and, with the rightsupport, develop into high growth enterprises, asillustrated in Figure 3.Understanding the innovation ecosystem in TanzaniaExamples of universities; StateUniversity of Zanzibar (SUZA), MbeyaUniversity of Science and Technology(MUST), The Nelson Mandela AfricanInstitute of Science & Technology(NMAIST), University of Dodoma (UDOM),University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).Examples of research instituitons;Policy Research for Development, REPOA,Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), ScienceTechnology and Innovation ResearchOrganization (STIPRO).DIAGRAM: SIMON MTABAZI, SOCIAL INNOVATION FELLOW, HDIFExamples of donors;Sweden, UKAid, USAID,Vodafone Foundation,World Bank.The InnovationecosystemThe term ‘innovation ecosystem’ is used todescribe the large number and diverse natureof participants and resources that are necessaryfor innovation. These include entrepreneurs,investors, researchers, university faculty, venturecapitalists as well as business developmentand other technical service providers such asaccountants, designers, contract manufacturersand providers of skills training and professionaldevelopment.Figure 2 Understanding the innovation ecosystem in TanzaniastartupslargenationalsindustryincubatorsExamples of startups; Bongo Live, SmartCodes, ZOLA Electric.Examples of large nationals; Bakhresa,IPP Media, MeTL, Tigo.Examples of multinationals; GeneralElectric (GE), Millicom, Vodacom.multinationalscivilsocietygovernmenttradeassociationsindustryassociationsngosExamples of trade andindustry associations;Association of Private HealthFacilities in Tanzania(APHFTA), Tanzania Chamberof Commerce, Industry &Agriculture (TCCIA).Examples of NGOs; Amref,APOPO, Catholic ReliefServices (CRS), DigitalOpportunity Trust (DOT),Jhpiego, Haki Elimu, KaribuTanzania, Sense International,UBONGO Learning.The diagram shows some ofExamples the types of government of key players in theinstitutions; innovation Small ecosystem Industries of Tanzania;Development a complex Organisation and rapidly (SIDO), evolvingTanzania space. Industrial For a Research geographical and mapDevelopment Organisation (TIRDO),of the innovation ecosystem seeTanzania Engineering Manufacturingand Design www.innovate.co.tzOrganisation (TEMDO).Examples of hubs; BUNI, dLab, Jenga Hub,HUB255, Kili Hub, Ndoto Hub, RLabs Iringa.Examples of incubators and accelerators;8
CATALYSING AND SCALING Innovation in Tanzania: A review of approaches • INTRODUCTIONThe routes to economicand development impactWe could say that, ideally, innovation support aims tohelp create innovations that have both a significantdevelopment impact and a significant economicimpact. When new innovations are created, theirimpact in either respect is usually small or incremental.The model described in the Figure 3 illustrates thatwhen an innovation scales, it typically takes one oftwo routes. For example, an innovation could firstscale commercially, targeting higher value marketsand, only after reaching significant volume, expandthe service to reach lower-income markets wherethe development impact will be increased.Figure 3 The routes to economic and development impactBigEconomic impactSmall“Scaleableinnovation”“Incrementalinnovation”SmallDevelopment impact“Scaleable andtransformativeinnovation”“Transformativeinnovation”BigAn alternative route to scale is through large-scaleimplementation supported by public funding toprove feasibility and development impact, usingthat experience to attract other funders, scale tomultiple markets, and to develop a sustainablebusiness model.The support needs of different innovations withinthe ecosystem vary hugely. A good deal of thoughtneeds to be given as to how different sets of financialinstruments and support can be applied to make alltypes of innovation both thrive and be sustainable.In recent years, more funders have realised thepotential of innovation for development, and there isincreasing support and investment at various stagesof the ‘innovation pipeline’ in Tanzania and EastAfrica as a whole. Different types of investment arerequired depending on the nature of the innovation,but frequently the right type of investment is notavailable. Furthermore, with increasing investmentcomes a need for greater collaboration, sharedvalue ii , knowledge sharing, and analysis.Meanwhile, policymakers are increassinglylooking more seriously at the role that innovationand technology can play in contributing toindustrialisation and job creation. To make long-termsystemic change it is important to first understandthe impact, success, and risks associated withdifferent approaches – who are the stakeholders thatare involved in supporting innovation, who is fundingwhat, and where, along the innovation pipeline – toknow where the gaps exist.In this report, we specifically look at the complexsupport needs of social innovation, as well ashow best to foster the supportive environmentneeded in order for all types of social innovationto reach their full potential and scale or diffuse. iiiBy sharing our experiences and learning, we hopeto bring understanding on how best to improve thesupport that innovators in Tanzania can, and should,expect to receive.We encourage readers to take note of the insightsgathered, and work together to develop a sharedvision for innovation in Tanzania.BelowCommunitymembersaccessing waterat a prepaidwater kiosk inMaganzo town inKishapu District,part of an ICSproject.9KUMI MEDIA
Page 1 and 2: CATALYSING ANDSCALING Innovationin
Page 3 and 4: CATALYSING AND SCALING Innovation i
Page 7: CATALYSING AND SCALING Innovation i
Page 39 and 40: 39

Catalysing and Scaling Innovation In Tanzania

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?