Tanzanian researchers tasked with addressing critical policy questions on poverty

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian researchers striving to combat poverty and vulnerability within the country have the opportunity to obtain small and medium grants from the recently unveiled Data and Evidence to End Extreme Poverty (DEEP) Challenge Fund.

Many of the researchers explain that the lack of funds specifically targeting the search for evidence to help combat poverty has been a long-standing challenge that has hindered their efforts to identify challenges in various areas of the country.

"We have been conducting research, but it has been to assist the funder with what they wanted. However, now the existence of funds, specifically for seeking local evidence on poverty, considering that poverty varies even environmentally, is good news," said senior researcher Dr Joshua Mmari.

The fund, which has a mission to build evidence, insights, and solutions that help end extreme poverty globally, selected Tanzania as the inaugural focus country, promising to harness the power of research and evidence to drive transformative change.

According to experts, the country grapples with deep-rooted poverty despite significant economic growth in recent years.

Read: Covid-19 pushed three million Tanzanians into poverty

With one of the highest urbanisation rates globally and increasing vulnerability to climate change, urgent policy interventions were imperative to address these pressing issues.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, economic experts and policymakers underscore the critical need for accurate statistics to formulate effective poverty alleviation strategies.

A distinguished economist, Prof Samuel Wangwe, emphasises that the lack of precise data has hindered progress in poverty alleviation efforts, likening the endeavour without accurate statistics to "navigating in the dark."

He lauds the DEEP Challenge Fund as a pivotal solution to this longstanding problem, heralding a new era of evidence-based policymaking in Tanzania.

"The fund heralds a new era of evidence-based policymaking, empowering Tanzanian researchers to gather the data necessary for informed decision-making," said Prof Wangwe.

The DEEP Challenge Fund, unveiled at the University of Dar es Salaam in March this year, experts told The Citizen on April 20, 2024, that it signalled a crucial investment in the future of Tanzania.

Read: Economists urge structural reforms to reduce poverty, bolster private sector growth

With grants ranging from £5000 (Sh 16 million) to £50,000 (Sh159.5 million) focusing on research projects lasting between six and twelve months,.

The initiative aims to encourage national researchers and analysts to develop and deliver impactful projects that generate insights and inform national strategy, policy, and programmes aimed at poverty reduction.

A social scientist, Dr Grace Mwakyusa, stressed the importance of such initiatives in shaping Tanzania's policy landscape.

"The DEEP Challenge Fund provides a unique opportunity for Tanzanian researchers to address critical policy questions and research gaps, ultimately contributing to evidence-based decision-making," she remarked.

Furthermore, she said the initiative encourages innovative approaches, including partnering with members of the DEEP consortium to leverage advanced analysis techniques and explore under-analysed datasets.

This collaborative effort aims to shed light on various drivers of poverty, including climate change, urbanisation, migration, and social norms, while evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and programmes aimed at poverty reduction, according to her.

"The DEEP Challenge Fund offers a platform for researchers to explore new analysis techniques and develop insights crucial for designing effective poverty alleviation strategies," remarked a leading researcher in development economics, Dr David Nyoni.

“With Tanzania boasting significant research resources and access to high-quality data, the DEEP Challenge Fund is poised to catalyse impactful research initiatives that address the nation's most pressing challenges,” he said.

“By empowering Tanzanian researchers to generate evidence-driven solutions, the initiative holds the promise of fostering sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of millions across the country.”

As the deadline for applications approaches on April 26, 2024, Dr Nyoni urged researchers to seize the opportunity to significantly contribute to the nation's efforts towards poverty reduction.

“Through collaborative research endeavours supported by the DEEP Challenge Fund, Tanzania is poised to embark on a transformative journey towards a more prosperous and equitable future,” remarked Dr Nyoni.