The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Tanzania has convened a conference in Dar es Salaam, bringing together traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, scientists, health professionals, and investors. The meeting aims to discuss how science and research can strengthen traditional medicine in the country. The conference is expected to produce recommendations for developing a national framework to identify, research, advance, innovate, and commercialize locally developed medicines and medical devices.
Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, addressed the conference on November 9, 2026, highlighting the importance of the meeting. She noted that Tanzania has abundant natural resources, particularly plants with medicinal compounds, and traditional medicine practitioners with extensive knowledge. However, the country has yet to fully exploit these opportunities in research, development, and production of medicines derived from these resources.
Ameir attributed the current situation to several challenges, including inadequate documentation and preservation of traditional medicine knowledge, insufficient research on the safety and efficacy of traditional treatments, and weak collaboration among stakeholders. She emphasized the need to transform research findings into marketable products and innovations that improve healthcare services, create employment opportunities, and stimulate national economic growth.
The conference focuses on advancing science in traditional medicine under the theme “Harnessing Innovation, Research and Indigenous Knowledge for the Development of Traditional Medicine and Health Products.” The meeting aims to bring stakeholders together to develop strategies for applying science, technology, and innovation in traditional medicine, ensuring that treatments are scientifically researched and validated.
The government intends to ensure that research findings from traditional medicine do not remain confined to academic publications but are transformed into innovations, products, and technologies. This includes creating employment opportunities, reducing dependence on imported products, and stimulating national economic growth. The conference provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss and develop a national framework for traditional medicine.
Tanzania has a rich endowment of natural resources, particularly plants containing compounds that can be used in medicine production. Traditional medicine practitioners in the country have extensive knowledge and experience. However, there is a need to document and preserve this knowledge, conduct sufficient research, and establish collaboration among stakeholders to translate research findings into marketable products.
The conference outcomes are expected to form the basis for developing a national framework for traditional medicine. This framework will focus on identifying, researching, advancing, innovating, and commercializing locally developed medicines and medical devices. The goal is to harness innovation, research, and indigenous knowledge to improve healthcare services and stimulate national economic growth.
Key points
- The conference aims to develop a national framework for traditional medicine, focusing on science, research, and innovation.
