The Government of Tanzania has introduced a new scholarship programme in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science as part of efforts to build a knowledge-based economy.
The initiative, called the Samia Scholarship Extended (DS/AI+), aims to equip students with skills in emerging fields such as AI, machine learning and computational science. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with national research institutions.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Adolf Mkenda, said the programme reflects the country’s long-term plan to strengthen local technological capacity.
“We are preparing young Tanzanians not merely to adapt to the fourth industrial revolution, but to lead it,” Mkenda said.
The government has allocated at least 5 billion Tanzanian shillings for the first phase of the programme, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in specialised digital fields.
Under the scheme, selected students will undergo preparatory training before gaining admission to top institutions in Tanzania and abroad, including the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, as well as universities in India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
Officials say the programme is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on foreign expertise and encourage local innovation.
“The era of passive consumption of technology is over,” said Amos Nungu, Director General of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology. “We want our young people to be creators, problem-solvers and global innovators.”
The first group of beneficiaries has already been admitted, with some students pursuing advanced degrees in AI and data science and others completing preparatory courses to meet international standards.
Authorities say graduates of the programme will be required to return to Tanzania to apply their expertise in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure, supporting national development goals.
Also Read:
Analysts note that the initiative comes as African countries increasingly invest in digital skills and AI talent to remain globally competitive.
“We have begun investing in our people-the true drivers of innovation,” Mkenda said. “And when we invest in our people, we invest in our nation’s destiny.”
The government says the scholarship scheme is part of a wider effort that includes improving science education, expanding research partnerships and promoting innovation-driven growth.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news outlets, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.