The Ifakara 70th Anniversary Celebrations & 5th Ifakara Annual Scientific Conference concluded on November 12, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with closing remarks, recognition of scientific excellence and appreciation for the partners and sponsors who contributed to the success of the milestone event.

Held under the theme “70 Years of Impact: Roots, Reach, and What’s Next,” the three-day conference brought together scientists, policymakers, institutional leaders and research partners to reflect on Ifakara Health Institute's scientific journey and explore opportunities for future innovation and collaboration.

Showcasing research and recognizing excellence

The final day featured a dynamic Turbo Talk session, where early-career researchers delivered brief presentations on emerging scientific findings and innovations, covering cardiovascular health among people living with HIV, malaria control challenges, mosquito behaviour, vector surveillance, geospatial data quality and new approaches to mosquito control.

The conference also featured scientific awards recognizing outstanding research presentations and celebrating the contributions of researchers advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.

Leadership calls for greater innovation and scientific excellence

In their closing remarks, IHI Chief Executive Director Dr. Ally Olotu and Board of Governors Chair Prof. Said Aboud reflected on the Institute's achievements and emphasized the importance of strengthening its research culture.

Their messages highlighted the need to promote gender balance, foster a stronger culture of innovation and increase scientific publication output to further strengthen Ifakara's contribution to global health research.

Appreciating our sponsors and partners

As the conference concluded, Ifakara extended its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support helped make the 70th anniversary celebrations and scientific conference possible.

Special thanks to NMB Bank, INQABA, New Jarii Fashion, Keen Construction, Masumin, SCIEX, Paones, Freedom Computers, Mars Communications (Hisense), Hill Group Tanzania, Valent Health, Strategis, MET Insurance, ABA Alliance and Empower.

Their contributions reflect the value of partnerships in supporting scientific exchange, innovation and the continued growth of health research in Tanzania.

Recognizing young scientific talent

The closing session also featured the presentation of Best Oral Presentation Awards to young scientists, highlighting Ifakara's commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers and encouraging high-quality scientific work that contributes to improving public health.

While the three-day scientific conference has concluded, the celebrations continue on November 13, 2026, with an Open House at Ifakara's Bagamoyo facilities, offering participants an opportunity to explore the Institute's research infrastructure and ongoing scientific work.