The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) Celebrated Three Decades of Research Excellence in Tanzania

The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) on 21 September 2024, celebrated thirty years of Research Excellence in Tanzania as part of the eighth National Research Conference.  For thirty (30) years since its establishment, the ESRF has been one of the leading policy think tanks in Tanzania. 

The ESRF is an independent policy research foundation established in Tanzania to undertake research and provide evidence to support the economic management process in Tanzania. The foundation was established in October 1992 and effectively started its operations in 1994 at the peak of economic reforms and the transition from a socialist to a market economy – a transition that was characterized by greater demands for scientific evidence in the policy process.

The event brought together over 200 participants, including government officials, researchers, development partners, and civil society representatives, to reflect on ESRF's significant contributions to Tanzania's development.  Among the participants was TaTEDO SESO, reflecting a broad engagement from various sectors invested in Tanzania's policy development. TaTEDO-SESO during this event at Johari Rotana, Dar es Salaam, was represented by the Communication staff.  The event was officiated by Vice President Dr. Philip Isdori Mpango, who commended ESRF's commitment to research and its contribution to the country's development agenda, stressing the importance of evidence-based policymaking to address Tanzania's complex challenges and achieve sustainable development. 

Dr. Philip Mpango underscored the need for research-driven solutions to tackle issues such as youth unemployment, land use conflicts, and climate change, lauding ESRF’s role in providing evidence-based policy advice across sectors including education, energy, healthcare, and agriculture.

“Together, we can ensure that quality research shapes Tanzania’s future,” Dr. Mpango declared, highlighting the crucial impact of data-driven decision-making. The Vice President commended ESRF’s dedication to high-quality research, calling for its insights to be integrated across public policy frameworks to address key socio-economic challenges.

The conference served as a platform for discussing innovative solutions and best practices across diverse fields, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a research-informed policy agenda aimed at sustainable national progress.

The conference fostered collaboration and forward-thinking, laying a robust foundation for sustainable development. It featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and poster presentations covering a wide range of topics related to inclusive development and evidence-based policymaking. The ESRF in Tanzania has conducted research on renewable energy transition in Tanzania, including a commissioned evaluation of projects implemented by the Rural Energy Agency (REA), ESRF focused on the evaluation of the six proposed projects namely, Rural Electrification under Turnkey Phase II; Village Electrification Initiative under the 400kVA Backbone; Village electrification under Makambako – Songea 220kV Transmission line; Rural Electrification Under Turnkey Phase II in Singida and Kilimanjaro; Sustainable Solar Market Packages – Phase II (SSMP II); and Lighting Rural Tanzania Competition Projects 2014. The ESRF has also researched the need for Tanzania to diversify its energy sources away from hydro to include coal, natural gas, wind, geothermal, and solar. The ESRF also noted that Tanzania's total electricity consumption is low, but demand is expected to rise rapidly.

Discussions during the conference revealed several key themes, including ESRF's ongoing relevance in addressing Tanzania’s evolving development challenges, the need for sustainable funding, and the importance of maintaining the foundation’s independence. Some participants noted ESRF's potential to become a center of excellence in social equity, innovation, and environmental sustainability.

Concerns about inadequate research funding, which hinders the quality and quantity of studies conducted, were prominently discussed. Participants advocated for increased government investment, with Prof. Issa Shivji emphasizing the urgency of government support for research to address Tanzania’s development challenges.

Overall, the conference highlighted the crucial role of research in informing policymaking in Tanzania. As ESRF enters its fourth decade, it remains committed to evidence-informed policymaking and capacity-building, positioning itself as a key player in Tanzania’s development journey. By tackling funding challenges, maintaining independence, and realizing its future vision, ESRF aims to remain a valuable asset to Tanzania’s sustainable development. The 8th National Research Conference and ESRF’s 30th-anniversary celebration marked a significant milestone, showcasing ESRF’s contributions to Tanzania's progress and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the nation’s sustainable development goals.

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