National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has received bioinformatics equipment and systems from AMREF Health Africa Tanzania to advance health research and genomic data analysis, while strengthening the Institute’s capacity to generate evidence for disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and public health decision making.
The equipment was officially handed over on 14th September 2026, at the NIMR sub-Office in Dar es Salaam and includes genomic analysis software, information technology equipment and office furniture for the NIMR Bioinformatics Laboratory.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, NIMR Director General, Prof. Said S. Aboud, said the contribution represents an investment in scientific capacity, innovation and NIMR ability to generate high-quality evidence to improve health in Tanzania and beyond.
Prof. Aboud said the equipment will strengthen NIMR capacity to undertake advanced bioinformatics analyses and support the application of genomic technologies in health research, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and public health decision-making. He added that it will also provide researchers, bioinformaticians, laboratory scientists and trainees with improved access to infrastructure needed for modern genomic research and analysis, contributing to the development of the next generation of Tanzanian scientists.
The equipment was acquired through AMREF Health Africa Tanzania’s Global Health Security Agenda II (GHSA II) Project, funded by the U.S. Government through CDC Tanzania, to strengthen genomic data analysis infrastructure and national health security capacity.
AMREF Health Africa Tanzania Country Director, Dr. Florence Temu, said the equipment will support genomic data analysis and research on infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as to contribute to the early detection of emerging pathogens.
She added that improved genomic data analysis will also support Precision Medicine through better understanding of genetic information to inform treatment approaches.
The equipment handed over includes a Geneious Software License for genomic analysis, two Lenovo laptops, an HP ProLiant Server, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), two office desks and two office chairs, with a total value of TZS 108,051,419.
Dr. Temu emphasized the importance of NIMR to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment to sustain the benefits of the contribution and strengthen long-term national capacity in genomic data analysis.
The handover reflects the value of collaboration between NIMR, AMREF Health Africa Tanzania and the U.S. Government through CDC Tanzania in strengthening scientific infrastructure and expertise needed to detect, monitor and respond to health threats.