Ifakara Health Institute and its longstanding national and international partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening scientific collaboration, research capacity and innovation during the Institute's 70th anniversary 5th Ifakara Annual Scientific Conference. 

Representatives from the Government of Tanzania, national research institutions and international partners reflected on seven decades of collaboration that have contributed to Ifakara's growth, scientific achievements and contributions to public health.

The celebrations brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and Rudolf Geigy Foundation, among other partners.

IHI leadership: Building on seven decades of collaboration

IHI Chief Executive Director Dr. Ally Olotu highlighted the importance of government support, scientific partnerships and institutional collaboration in shaping Ifakara's development over the past seven decades.

He reflected on the Institute's journey and the collective contributions of researchers, government institutions and development partners in strengthening scientific capacity and advancing research that responds to public health priorities.

The anniversary, he noted, provided an opportunity not only to recognize these contributions but also to strengthen the relationships needed to sustain scientific progress in the years ahead.

Swiss partnerships: Decades of collaboration and mutual growth

Ifakara's longstanding Swiss partners, including the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and Rudolf Geigy Foundation, reflected on a shared history of scientific collaboration, institutional development and investment in health research.

Speaking on behalf of Swiss TPH Director Professor Jürg Utzinger, Christian Lengeler reflected on more than four decades of personal association with Ifakara, from conducting research in the Kilombero Valley to leading collaborative projects and serving on IHI's Board of Trustees.

He emphasized that the strength of the relationship between Ifakara and its Swiss partners lies in a shared commitment to long-term collaboration, mutual learning and institutional growth.

“We believe in the same form of partnership: long-term, strong, deep partnerships that are based also a lot on mutual learning, for working and growing together,” he said.

Reflecting on Ifakara's development into an internationally recognized research institution, he added: “IHI is now a recognized world leader in the field of biomedical research, and I think this achievement cannot be overestimated.”

Lukas Meier, representing the Rudolf Geigy Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation's longstanding relationship with Ifakara and its commitment to supporting scientific innovation, institutional development and research capacity.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation's Board, he congratulated the Institute on its achievements and acknowledged the progress made through decades of collaboration. “We are very proud, and this is on behalf of the whole board of the Foundation, that we really congratulate you,” he said.

The Swiss partners also reflected on the broader impact of Ifakara's scientific work, emphasizing that the value of research partnerships extends beyond scientific publications and discoveries to tangible improvements in people's lives.

“You, IHI, have transformed the lives not of a few thousand people or even a few million people, but really tens of millions of people,” Lengeler said.

H.E. Nicole Providoli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania, also joined the anniversary celebrations, reflecting the longstanding relationship between Switzerland and Tanzania in supporting scientific research, institutional development and public health.

Government and national institutions: Strengthening Tanzania's research ecosystem

The participation of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, COSTECH and NIMR underscored the importance of national collaboration in advancing Tanzania's scientific and public health priorities.

Their presence highlighted the complementary roles of government institutions, research organizations and policymakers in strengthening research capacity, supporting scientific innovation and ensuring that evidence informs health policies and interventions.

These relationships have been instrumental in connecting scientific research with national development priorities while creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building.

A shared commitment to the future

As Ifakara enters its next chapter, the anniversary reaffirmed the importance of sustaining partnerships that have supported its transformation from a research station in the Kilombero Valley into an internationally recognized health research institution.

Building on seven decades of shared achievements, IHI and its partners remain committed to strengthening African-led research, investing in the next generation of scientists and advancing innovations that respond to evolving public health challenges.

Under the anniversary theme, “70 Years of Impact: Roots, Reach, and What's Next,” the celebrations reinforced a shared vision of a future in which strong institutions, sustained investment and meaningful collaboration continue to translate scientific discoveries into better health outcomes in Tanzania and beyond.