The 5th Innovation and Tech Forum: Innovating Policy: A Forward-Looking and Integrated Approach to Policymaking in the Digital Age
The world has entered a new era of technological advancement, and Tanzania is no exception. As the country undergoes a rapid digital transformation, the role of innovative policies in shaping the national economy has become more critical than ever before. Recognizing this critical need, the Innovation & Tech Forum was jointly brought together by the ICT Commission, the Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH), UNDP Tanzania under the Funguo Innovation Program, and coordinated by Media Convergency. The theme of the forum, “Innovating Policy Making – A Forward-Looking and Integrated Approach to Policymaking in the Digital Age,” reflects the importance of progressive and forward-looking policies in shaping the future of Tanzania’s economy.
The forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to explore ways of integrating innovation and technology into policymaking processes. The discussions focused on how to promote innovation in policymaking, enhance policymaking processes using technology, and create a supportive environment for innovative policies in the digital age. The forum aimed to provide a platform for policymakers to share ideas and best practices on how to create policies that foster innovation and drive economic growth.
Giving opening remarks Media Convergency’s CEO Ms. Asha D. Abinallah spoke of the milestone achieved from the prior innovation and tech forums. As of yesterday, they have
- Held four Innovation and Tech Forums
- Had a total of 370+ offline participants in all the 4 forums.
- Had a total of 500+ online participants following through digital channels such as you tube or zoom
- Had a direct online reach to over 24 million netizens across all social media platforms
- Had online impressions of over 500 million across all social media platforms
- Had a total of 5,079 downloads of the Innovation and Tech Forum reports that we publish after every convening
“We are proud of the growth and impact and believe that the forum will continue to be a powerful tool for evolution to help drive sustainable development in the ecosystem to go in pace with the fourth industrial revolution. At Media Convergency, we are constantly filled with a hunger for knowledge, growth and what the 4th Industrial Revolution means and looks like for Digital Tanzania.” Said Asha D. Abinallah
The role of innovative policies in shaping the national economy cannot be overstated. Policymakers need to be proactive and forward-thinking in their approach to policymaking in the digital age. Innovation and technology are driving economic growth in many countries, and Tanzania cannot afford to be left behind. As the country seeks to achieve its development goals, policymakers need to leverage technology to create policies that promote innovation and growth.
Welcoming Remarks by Dr. Amos Nungu, Director General – Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, COSTECH, “I’m always very comfortable and say the government’s first duty is to lay down a conducive environment for this innovation ecosystem. So, while we are part of it, but most of it, the policy is the main thing. Today, among our partners, we have the Media Convergency, which is not a government institution similar to Funguo because the environment is very conducive, and everybody can play a part. So, coming to policymaking, which is the critical element of the government that makes the policies for the ecosystem, our participation, contribution, and engagement is crucial, especially at this juncture. Because the Tanzania we want, and the one we wish for, we are part of it making it.”
“It’s high time we have this conversation.” said Christine Musisi, Resident Representative of UNDP Tanzania, in her opening remarks. “As the country undergoes a rapid digital transformation, the need for agile and innovative policy making has never been more pressing. That is why we are advocating for a more innovative approach to policy making – one that takes into account the rapidly changing development needs of Tanzania and embraces and leverages the potential of emerging technologies.”
“We are counting on this forum to start thinking about how we start developing policies that directors animate timely and in what way. And how do we draw on current technology to ensure full participation of the entire population, which is possible, while at the same time ensuring full endorsement by the leadership of the country? We need to challenge ourselves to be able to come up with solutions. The theme for this year’s Innovation Week goals is “Innovation for a competitive economy,” We all know how the critical role of progressive and forward-looking policies drives the nation towards this aspiration. And I must admit that some government institutions have seen a few progressive examples of embedding innovation in the policy-making process.” Added Christine Musisi
The forum also included a Ministerial Discussion with Hon. Eng. Kundo Andrea Mathew, Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology which focused on the main barriers preventing innovative policy making in Tanzania, stakeholder involvement in the policy making process, and government’s concrete steps to champion innovative policy making. It highlighted the value of building a culture of experimentation and learning within the government, encouraging innovation and risk-taking and the importance of leveraging evidence and data as important factors in policy making.
Speaking of about the choice of the theme for the 5th innovation and tech forum, “The topic is a “forward-looking and integrated approach to policymaking in the digital age.” Policy-making is an art, it has been there for a long time, and governments use different instruments to guide something they aim to achieve, like enacting laws, drafting policies, and issuing guidelines and frameworks to ensure things are going okay. But things have changed from the way this art started. We are here now because there’s much innovation done in different fields of science and engineering, specifically electronics, telecommunication, and things like that. So, the Novation in those areas is the one that has been created and the place called IT, the field which enables us to manage data and the field that produces many data as things are.”
“I urge policy makers to balance the need for timely decision making, with access to the latest research and evidence to inform their decisions.” Said Hon. Eng. Kundo “In addition to this, when making policy, stakeholder engagement is of the utmost importance.” He added.Top of FormBottom of Form
The panelists emphasized the importance of policymakers being open to new ideas and cultivating an innovation culture within their organizations. They also underlined the importance of engaging diverse perspectives and involving stakeholders in policymaking. Finally, the panel discussion provided valuable insights and perspectives on the role of innovation in policymaking. The discussion made it clear that innovation is necessary and possible, and policymakers can disrupt the status quo and drive positive change with the right approach and mindset.
One key area of discussion at the Innovation and Tech forum was how to promote innovation in policymaking. Policymakers need to be open to new ideas and approaches that challenge traditional thinking. They need to be willing to take risks and embrace change. Innovation requires a culture of experimentation and learning from failure. Policymakers need to create an environment that encourages innovation by promoting collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to try new things.
Another area of discussion was how to enhance policymaking processes using technology. Technology can play a critical role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of policymaking processes. For example, the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence can help policymakers make more informed decisions. The use of digital platforms can also improve transparency and accountability in policymaking processes.
Finally, the forum highlighted the need to create a supportive environment for innovative policies in the digital age. This requires policymakers to work closely with industry leaders and experts to identify emerging trends and technologies that can drive economic growth. It also requires a commitment to investing in the necessary infrastructure and human capital to support innovation.
In conclusion, the Innovation & Tech Forum was a critical step in promoting the role of innovative policies in shaping Tanzania’s national economy. The forum highlighted the importance of progressive and forward-looking policies in the digital age and provided a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to share ideas and best practices. As Tanzania continues to undergo rapid digital transformation, policymakers need to be proactive and innovative in their approach to policymaking to promote growth and development.