The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is bringing seven decades of Tanzanian-led health research, innovation and partnerships to the 13th Tanzania Health Summit (THS), with a special forum reflecting on its contribution to stronger health systems and looking ahead to the future of health research in Tanzania.

The summit, held from 5–7 October 2026 under the theme “Building Health Sovereignty and Strengthening Health Systems in a Changing Global Order,” brings together stakeholders from across the health sector to exchange knowledge, research and ideas for strengthening Tanzania’s health systems.

For Ifakara, the summit comes just one month before its 70th anniversary, making this year’s participation an opportunity not only to showcase current research, but also to reflect on seven decades of scientific contribution and consider what comes next.

A special forum ahead of the 70th anniversary

The Ifakara Forum: “70 Years of Advancing Tanzanian Research, Innovation and Partnerships for Stronger Health Systems” will take place on 6 October 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Hall 3 at Mlimani City Conference Center in Dar es Salaam.

The forum will look back at Ifakara’s contribution to health research in Tanzania and beyond, while turning attention to what the country needs from research, innovation and partnerships in the decades ahead.

From its beginnings as a field research laboratory established in Ifakara in 1956, IHI has grown into a leading Tanzanian health research institution, generating evidence across malaria, HIV/AIDS, rabies, tuberculosis, dengue, maternal and child health, health systems and other priority areas.

The forum will bring together researchers, policymakers, innovators and partners to reflect on what this body of work has achieved, its impact on society and how locally generated evidence has contributed to health policy, programmes and practice.

Examples include research that has contributed to malaria prevention and control, the development and evaluation of malaria vaccines, advances in mosquito research, large-scale surveillance platforms, integrated HIV services and innovations in rabies vaccination.

The discussion will also recognise a contribution that extends beyond individual research findings: building Tanzania’s scientific capacity through generations of researchers trained, mentored and supported to lead research.

From 70 years of experience to the next 70

While the forum celebrates seven decades of achievement, its focus is firmly on the future.

Tanzania faces a changing health landscape shaped by emerging diseases, climate risks, technological advances, workforce pressures and changing health financing. Against this backdrop, the forum will use Ifakara’s experience to ask what lessons should be carried forward, what needs to be done differently and what research, innovation and partnerships will be needed to strengthen Tanzania’s health systems.

The conversation will consider priorities for the next 10, 20 and 70 years, with an emphasis on locally generated evidence, stronger national research capacity and purposeful partnerships.

The forum will feature current and former IHI leaders and scientists, government representatives and research partners. Speakers and panellists include IHI Chief Executive Director Dr Ally Olotu, former Chief Executive Director Dr Honorati Masanja, Prof. Salim Abdulla, Prof. Abraham Mnzava, Dr Hassan Mshinda, Dr Grace Mhalu, Dr Donat Shamba, Dr Esther Elisaria, Dr Issa Mshani, Dr Sally Mtenga, Dr Zawadi Mageni Mboma and Prisca Kweyamba, alongside representatives from government and international research partnerships.

Taking current research to the summit

Beyond the forum, Ifakara is also showcasing its current research and innovation through an exhibition booth at the summit.

The booth features the IMARISHA Project, which is generating evidence and developing interventions to address gendered workplace violence affecting frontline healthcare workers in primary healthcare settings. The exhibition provides summit participants with an opportunity to learn more about the project and engage with IHI’s work to support safer and more supportive health-system workplaces.

Ifakara researchers are also contributing to the wider summit programme through presentations and technical sessions, bringing evidence from the Institute’s research portfolio into discussions with policymakers, researchers, health professionals and other stakeholders.

Together, these activities give Ifakara multiple platforms at the Tanzania Health Summit to connect its 70-year history of research and innovation with the health priorities shaping Tanzania’s future.