The 4th Ifakara Annual Scientific Conference (IASC2025) which will run from 2-4 Sept 2025 has officially opened today at the Mbezi Garden Hotel in Dar es Salaam, bringing together scientists, policymakers, partners, and practitioners under the theme: “Towards 70 Years of Impact: Building Resilient Health Systems through Data and Technology.”

The theme is reflecting the Ifakara Health Institute’s (IHI) journey of nearly seven decades at the forefront of health research and innovation in Tanzania and beyond. As IHI is approaching its 70th anniversary, the conference is setting the stage for critical reflections on how technology and data-driven approaches are strengthening the design, delivery, and evaluation of health interventions while advancing equity in diverse communities.

Dr. Ally Olotu, Ifakara’s Director of Science, welcomed participants, followed by remarks from Ifakara Chief Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja, who posed the central question: “How can we leverage data and technology to secure a healthier future for Tanzania and beyond?” He emphasized that the future of health in Tanzania and across Africa is in our hands.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. Seif Shekhalage, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, officiated the event and commended Ifakara for convening the event and for great work. He reminded the audience that data is only becoming valuable when it is being used to improve the health and wellbeing of people. Dr. Shekhalage encouraged reflection on these critical areas and praised IHI’s decades-long contributions to health research and policy.

Morning Highlights
The day’s first keynote, “Towards 70 Years of IHI: Developing Innovative Health Interventions and Delivery Systems” by Dr. Salim Abdulla, traced IHI’s pioneering role in generating solutions to complex health challenges.

This is being followed by a high-level panel discussion featuring Dr. Abdulla alongside Dr. Grace Mwangoka, Dr. Dickson Lwetoijera, Dr. Hassan Mshinda, Dr. Fatma Manzi, Dr. Masanja, and Dr. Shekhalage. The panel is exploring how digital transformation is reshaping healthcare delivery and what lessons are being drawn from IHI’s own journey.

After the opening ceremony, discussions turned to IHI’s 70-year journey and how the institute is continuously developing innovative health interventions and delivery systems that are responding to Tanzania’s evolving health challenges. Participants are reflecting on lessons learned from past decades of research and how these are informing the future, especially in light of new technologies shaping the health sector.

Reimagining health system governance in the digital age

In the afternoon, participants discussed “Reimagining Health System Governance in the Digital Age,” bringing together voices from research, policy, and practice to reflect on how Tanzania can build stronger and more accountable health systems. Speakers included Dr. Ally Olotu, Director of Science at Ifakara; Dr. Timothy Wonanji from the Ministry of Health; Dr. Wilbert Bunini, Principal Research Scientist at COSTECH; Dr. Prosper Chaki, Principal Research Scientist at Ifakara; and Dr. Grace Mhalu, Head of Ifakara’s Health Systems Department. 

The panel emphasized the need for a multisectoral approach—where researchers, policymakers, the private sector, and innovators work together. Each group’s role was seen as vital to ensuring policies are informed by science, innovations are scalable, and research translates smoothly into practice.

Panelists also noted that technology should not limit development but be guided by frameworks that ensure security, ethics, and inclusivity, a point stressed by Dr. Olotu. By involving diverse sectors and creating enabling environments, institutions like Ifakara can help bridge the gap between science and policy while supporting digital solutions that strengthen health systems. 

The session closed with a call to generate new ideas, share responsibilities, and ensure governance in the digital age remains people-centered, equitable, and sustainable.

This conference is particularly timely as Ifakara is approaching its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of pioneering health research and innovation in Tanzania and beyond. IASC2025 is providing a moment to reflect on the institute’s rich legacy, celebrate its contributions to improving health outcomes, and chart the path forward in a rapidly evolving landscape of technology, data, and health systems strengthening. 

As Tanzania and Africa face complex health challenges, the conference is coming at a pivotal time to showcase how lessons from the past can inform the future, ensuring that the next era of research and innovation continues to drive impact, equity, and resilience in health systems.