Masoud Mnonji is a seasoned International Development Executive in the domains of Global Health, Innovation and Education, currently holds the position of Director at the innovation hub of Ifakara Health Institute. He earned a Master's degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2023 and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Dodoma in 2012. Presently, he is pursuing an MBA in International Health Management through a collaborative program between the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and the University of Basel. With over a decade of experience in STEM education, research and innovation commercialization, Masoud plays a pivotal role in nurturing health and technology start-ups focused on medical and livelihood solutions.

Since March 2019, he has been instrumental in the Ifakara Innovation Hub program at Ifakara Health Institute, a program dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship that address healthcare and well-being challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. His contributions have significantly initiated the development of Ifakara Innovation Hub as program with physical infrastructure innovation for healthcare and livelihood, facilitating in the development of successful startups and innovative products that are ready for clinical trials and validation, as well as the creation of the Product Development Partnership, a platform that provides innovators with essential services and support. A few of his successful innovation developed with a strong support from the innovation hub includes; improved technical capabilities of more than 180 Tanzanian innovators and entrepreneurs, he has successfully nurtured over fifteen (15) start-ups, including NovFeed, which recently won a prestigious $1 Million Grand Prize in the Milken-Motsepe Agritech Innovation Competition 2023 as Tanzania's Champion. Other promising innovations includes; a simple and inclusive self-diagnostic tool which is being developed to improve early diagnosis of preeclampsia and promote early referral and treatment to pregnant women with preeclampsia; a 3D Printing innovative technology to manufacture dental crowns and bridges and affordable, user-friendly, and portable bubble CPAP machine is being developed in order to decrease the mortality rate of newborns caused by respiratory failure. 

Prior to Ifakara Health Institute, Masoud served as Programs Officer at ProjeKt Inspire in Dar es Salaam from 2017 to 2019. My primary role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing a range of engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and innovation programs for youth. His key responsibilities extended to planning hands-on activities, coordinating classes, boot camps, and training sessions, while also monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, fostering partnerships, and staying updated with educational trends to empower the next generation with essential 21st-century skills. His successful work includes contributing to the transformation of notable innovative youth lead startups such as Green Venture Tanzania – a fast growing manufacture of durable building materials from recycled plastic wastes based in Arusha; and WAGA Tanzania – a startup company that provides sustainable and reliable lithium-ion battery solutions by recycling and reusing lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing durable and affordable battery-powered products. Lastly, Masoud started his professional career in 2013 to 2015 as Education Officer II at the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, based in Kongwa, Dodoma. His central role based on creating a positive learning environment, respect cultural diversity, and collaborating with stakeholders, all while inspiring a lifelong love for learning and supporting students' holistic growth.