As we reflect on 2024, it is with immense pride that we celebrate our achievements and acknowledge areas of growth. The progress made this year has been substantial, marked by increased engagement, a growing community, and impactful learning outcomes. Below is a detailed breakdown of our key statistics and accomplishments from 2024, alongside our aspirations for the year ahead.

Community Engagement and Growth

Membership Milestones

We sent a total of 503 invites, out of which 324 members started, showcasing a strong engagement rate. However, 76 members have not started, while 103 invites remain pending, highlighting areas for follow-up. The total membership count now stands at 302 members, with a net increase of 7 members in the past 30 days. This growth in membership reflects our consistent outreach efforts and commitment to fostering a vibrant, active learning community.

Active Participation Metrics

Cumulative Time on Platform

Our members collectively spent 6,939 hours on the platform. Notably, this represents a growth of 317 hours in the last 30 days, a testament to the value our platform provides.

Activity Breakdown

A total of 10,811 units were completed this year. Assessments accounted for 157 units, learning modules 4,373 units, practice sessions 6,020 units, and applications 261 units. These figures underscore a strong commitment from our members to continuous learning and skill development.

Skill Development and Certifications

Skill Gap Analysis and Assessment

A total of 73 unique member assessments were completed, showing consistency with no changes in the last 30 days. The skill matrix reveals key areas where our members excel and others where focused improvement is needed.

Celebrating Achievements and Planning for Growth

2024 was a year of steady progress, but we aim to amplify our impact further in the coming year. Our focus will be on encouraging members to achieve certifications as a tangible outcome of their efforts. Certifications not only validate the skills they have acquired but also empower them with credentials to advance their careers.

Goals for 2025

We plan to increase membership engagement by reducing the number of pending and inactive members by 50 percent through personalized follow-ups and targeted campaigns. Our goal is to boost certification rates by launching a dedicated “Certification Drive” program, incentivizing members to complete assessments and earn credentials. We also aim to enhance learning modules by introducing new and updated content tailored to emerging trends and market demands. Finally, we will foster a community of excellence by highlighting member success stories and creating a leaderboard for certified members to inspire others.

Call to Action

To our community members: Let’s make 2025 the year of achieving milestones and earning certifications. Your progress is our success, and we are committed to providing you with the tools, resources, and support you need to excel. Let’s work together to reach new heights and make an even greater impact!

CodeBoost is our annual event designed to empower students, especially freshers with the tools, knowledge, and community connections needed to transform innovative ideas into real-world startups.

Hosted by our university's innovation hub UDICTI, this event is a transformative opportunity for freshers and anyone else to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

🔥 CodeBoost is now back! Calling all innovators  

Learn startup tools, score GitHub Student Dev Pack, and connect with campus tech communities. Transform your ideas into reality!

📆 25 Jan 2025 
⏰ 08:00 - 17:00 HRS 
🔗 https://bit.ly/codeboost2025

The University of Dar es Salaam ICT Innovation Hub (UDICTI) has launched its latest action plan to mainstream innovation and accelerate the commercialization of student-led solutions. This strategic three-year plan is poised to equip UDSM students with the necessary entrepreneurial skills, strengthen industry partnerships, and ultimately turn university innovations into viable market solutions with a measurable socio-economic impact.

The UDICTI Action Plan is structured around three core hubs—Training Hub, MVP Studio, and Commercialization Hub—each designed to support students through different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. This comprehensive support system empowers students to bridge the gap between academic projects and market-ready solutions, fostering a dynamic culture of innovation and self-sufficiency.

“This action plan is timely and essential in enhancing our capacity to drive innovation,” says Prof. Joel Mtebe, Principal of the College of ICT (CoICT). “It prepares students for the workforce and contributes to Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem by equipping students with the skills to create impactful solutions that address real-world challenges. We are committed to transforming these academic ideas into tangible products that can reach and benefit communities.”

This  action plan has three key pillars: 

1. Training Hub: Building Skills for Innovation
   This is the foundation of this action plan, where students gain critical skills in innovation methodologies, such as design thinking and prototyping, alongside technical competencies in coding, robotics, and product development. Structured workshops, hackathons, and real-world projects equip students with hands-on experience to prepare them for the next stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

2. MVP Studio: Developing Viable Prototypes
   The MVP Studio guides students in transforming their ideas into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). This space offers students essential tools and resources, including a makerspace for rapid prototyping and a collaborative environment for creative experimentation. Under the mentorship of UDICTI coaches, students refine their innovations, ensuring they are ready for commercialization. “By supporting students in MVP development, we are taking significant steps toward making their solutions feasible and impactful,” explains Dr. Moses Ismail, UDICTI Coordinator. “This is where ideas take shape, and students gain the confidence to advance in innovation.”

3. Commercialization Hub: Bringing Solutions to Market
   The Commercialization Hub is where promising projects transition from MVPs to market-ready solutions. Students receive support for market research, business licensing, intellectual property (IP) protection, and access to industry partners and investors. This structured pathway ensures that student innovations reach the public as viable products. “The Commercialization Hub is vital because it brings student projects to the real world,” Dr. Ismail adds. “With UDICTI’s support, students gain a competitive edge and are well-prepared to contribute to the Tanzanian economy.”

Key Features and Support Mechanisms

The UDICTI Action Plan is designed to make the innovation journey seamless and productive, with each hub supporting critical milestones for students:

• Structured Training and Development: The Training Hub focuses on employability and entrepreneurial skills that prepare students for MVP and commercialization phases, emphasizing practical innovation skills.

• Enhanced Pathways to Commercialization: Through the Commercialization Hub, UDICTI offers additional support for market research, business licensing, and investor engagement, helping promising innovations become fully operational products.

• Collaborations with Industry Leaders: Partnerships with organizations like CRDB Bank, NMB Bank, and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) provide students with real-world challenges and FinTech, sustainability, and technology-driven solution opportunities. These collaborations ensure students create solutions that meet industry standards and market needs.

• Innovation Spaces and Resources: Upgrades to UDICTI’s facilities include well-equipped training rooms, the MVP Studio, and a makerspace, creating a dynamic environment that supports student creativity and prototyping.

• Annual Innovation Exhibition: Each year, UDICTI will host an Innovation Exhibition, providing students with a platform to showcase their projects to the public, investors, and industry leaders. The exhibition helps students refine their pitching skills and gain valuable feedback, preparing them for commercialization.

Expanding Social Impact through Entrepreneurship

The UDICTI Action Plan also strongly emphasizes social impact, encouraging students to address critical local challenges in water management, healthcare, and sustainable energy. This aligns with Tanzania’s development goals and positions UDSM as a key player in fostering young talent for national progress. Through socially impactful projects, UDICTI empowers students to become changemakers in their communities.

In the words of Prof. Mtebe, “This initiative not only aims to increase our students’ employability but also contributes to the broader socio-economic goals of Tanzania. By tackling real-world challenges, our students are empowered to create lasting solutions that resonate beyond the university walls.”

The Future of Innovation at UDSM

The UDICTI Action Plan represents a bold step forward for the University of Dar es Salaam. Over the next three years, UDICTI aims to produce commercially viable products and launch successful startups driven by student innovation. UDICTI is laying the foundation for a vibrant innovation ecosystem with strong partnerships, empowered students, and upgraded facilities.

“This plan is our roadmap for success, allowing us to focus on what matters most—transforming ideas into impactful products,” Dr. Ismail emphasizes. “UDICTI is committed to nurturing a culture of innovation and ensuring that our students are not only job-ready but also ready to be drivers of economic growth in Tanzania.”