3.7. Technological factors

In Tanzania technological development has been considered important in achieving higher standards of living and in determining international competitivness. In order to strenghten technological development, ‘The National Science and Technology Policy for Tanzania’ was published in 1985. It covers sectors such as agriculture, industry, health, natural resources, energy, transport, communications, and education and manpower. As the outcome of the recommendations of the policy, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology started functioning in 1988. Technological capability building requires investments, which the economic policy reforms in Tanzania, however, have not facilitated. (Wangwe 1994.) One reason for difficulties and expensive costs of keeping technical equipment in operation in developing countries is the small size of their industrial sectors. (Bloom & Temple-Bird 1994.)

The successful adoptation of a technology involves a number of activities in addition to the purchase of hardware. For example, the staff need to be trained, maintenance needs to be organized and safety procedures must be written. (Bloom & Temple-Bird 1994.) Wangwe (1994) states that the distinction between the development of indigenenous technology and the acquisation of imported technologies should not be carried too far. The capabilities needed to absorb more advanced foreign technology have much in common with those capabilities needed to create new technology. The challenge facing Tanzania, in technological context, is whether and under what conditions it can enhance its capacity to benefit from advances in technology. (Wangwe 1994.)