Former Tanzania’s Chief Medical Officer has criticized African scientists for what he described as research driven by the desire “to publish in peer reviewed journals” with less concern about the contribution of research to policy and action at national level. Dr. Gabriel Upunda warned that it is not productive for governments to give money for research if the research does not provide solutions to local problems. “The incentives for the governments to give more money to researchers should be based on the contribution of research to policy,” he said. Dr Upunda insisted that researchers must ensure that data collected are made accessible to the people who need them most. Data is available in solving the people’s problems.