Tanzania is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in East Africa, thanks to a growing number of venture capital (VC) firms, accelerators, and incubators fostering the next generation of startups. With a dynamic business landscape, an influx of technology-driven solutions, and a youthful, ambitious population, Tanzania presents a fertile ground for startups aiming to tackle pressing societal challenges. In this article, we explore some of the most active entrepreneurial hubs in Tanzania that are playing a pivotal role in nurturing talent, providing funding, and driving innovation. From incubators that support aspiring entrepreneurs to accelerators that focus on sustainable development, these organizations are making a significant impact on the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

AMCET Hub

AMCET Hub is an innovation and entrepreneurship hub based at Al-Maktoum College of Engineering and Technology (AMCET) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Hub is dedicated to empowering university students and local communities by fostering innovative technological and entrepreneurial solutions to address pressing societal challenges. With a vision to become a leading center for youth innovation and creativity in Tanzania, AMCET Hub offers mentorship, training, and support to nurture groundbreaking ideas. Notably, its mentees have achieved significant milestones, including securing top positions in the prestigious National MAKISATU competitions.

Amua Accelerator

AMUA Accelerator is a six-month mentorship-driven program supporting young entrepreneurs in developing innovative solutions to tackle sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges in Tanzania, aligned with UNFPA’s mandate. Over five successful cohorts, AMUA has addressed diverse focus areas: the first cohort targeted preventing teenage pregnancy, while AMUA II emphasized inclusive SRH solutions for persons with disabilities. AMUA III tackled data challenges in SRHR programming, fostering innovations to enhance data access and visualization. AMUA IV, based in Zanzibar, became the first health innovation accelerator in the region, nurturing solutions for local SRH challenges. The latest, AMUA V, creatively uses street murals to spread awareness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and counter cultural misconceptions, cementing AMUA’s role as a catalyst for impactful, community-driven health innovations.

Anza Entrepreneurs

Anza Entrepreneurs is a Tanzanian accelerator focused on empowering businesses with the tools and resources needed for sustainable growth and social impact. Through its tailored capacity-building programs, affordable capital via the Anza Growth Fund, and a vibrant network of mentors and peers, Anza supports entrepreneurs in creating jobs and transforming communities. With a mission to drive innovative solutions across Tanzania, Anza also provides collaborative workspaces, training in key business areas, and strategic consulting to ensure long-term success. The program has made a significant impact, serving entrepreneurs across 15 regions and positively influencing nearly a million lives annually.

BuniHub

Buni Innovation Hub, established in 2011 as part of the TANZICT project, is Tanzania's first innovation space under the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). Focused on strengthening the local innovation ecosystem, Buni provides support to startups and innovation enablers, offering a collaborative environment for over 350 active members, including university students and tech enthusiasts. The hub features a mini fabrication lab for electronic software and hardware production and hosts several programs like Buni Internship Programme (BIP) and Buni Mentorship Programme (BMP). Buni also plays a key role in nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs and has expanded its reach to over 10 universities across Tanzania, promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

CEED Tanzania

CEED Tanzania, part of the global CEED network established by SEAF, is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses while fostering a vibrant community of peer-to-peer support. Launched in 2017 as CEED’s first center in Sub-Saharan Africa, it provides entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, training, and critical networks to navigate growth challenges and explore new markets. CEED Tanzania employs an entrepreneur-led approach, partnering with organizations like PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to enhance capacity building and leadership development. Through its programs, CEED Tanzania aims to create sustainable impact by nurturing business leaders who contribute to local economic development and give back to their communities.

Cube Zanzibar Center for Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Cube Zanzibar is a startup and business enabler based in Zanzibar, dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial growth. Established in 2018 as a non-profit organization, it provides incubation services, business acceleration support, and short-term interest-free financing to startups and small businesses. Cube Zanzibar focuses on empowering young entrepreneurs by offering practical learning opportunities, coworking spaces, and mentorship programs. With a mission to drive economic and social development, Cube Zanzibar also runs initiatives like hackathons, social entrepreneurship programs, and capacity-building boot camps, positioning itself as a key hub for innovation and sustainable growth in the region.

Dar Teknohama Business Incubator

The Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) is a not-for-profit digital business incubator in Tanzania dedicated to fostering the growth of tech-based startups and emerging companies. Established with support from COSTECH and infoDev of the World Bank, DTBi provides digital services to commercialize innovative solutions, emphasizing job creation and economic development, particularly for youth and women. With a mission to empower startups through high-tech digital solutions, DTBi serves as a catalyst for socio-economic progress, offering resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation in Tanzania.

Ennovate Ventures

Ennovate Ventures is an innovation-driven venture builder and accelerator focused on empowering ambitious tech founders across Africa. By combining venture building and bootstrapping funds, Ennovate supports less visible entrepreneurs in developing high-growth businesses. Through strategic partnerships with corporates and development organizations, Ennovate runs programs designed to scale innovative solutions, including the pioneering TheNextHub, Tanzania's first integrated IdeaLab. With a proven track record of success and over 30 trusted partners, Ennovate is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and driving transformative change across the continent.

Funguo Programme

The Funguo Innovation Programme is a key initiative aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive development in Tanzania by supporting innovative start-ups and MSMEs, particularly those led by women and youth. Building on the legacy of the UKaid-funded Human Development Innovation Programme (HDIF), Funguo offers flexible financing, technical support, and capacity building to create a thriving innovation ecosystem. The programme is jointly funded by the European Union, UNDP, and the British High Commission, and is implemented in partnership with local institutions such as COSTECH and SIDO. Funguo works to enhance the innovation enabling environment, strengthen service delivery institutions, and promote policies that support entrepreneurship and technological development across the country.

Impact Hub Dar es Salaam

Impact Hub Dar es Salaam is a dynamic catalyst for innovation, fostering entrepreneurial action and collaboration to address global challenges through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of the global Impact Hub network, the space offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators to scale their impact. The Hub provides access to co-working spaces, business support programs (incubation, acceleration, and escalation), consultancy services, and meaningful events. With a focus on inclusive, sustainable innovation, it is dedicated to building a community of changemakers who collaborate to solve pressing social and environmental issues while driving economic growth.

PesaTech Africa

PesaTech Accelerator is a fintech-focused initiative launched by UNCDF in 2022, aimed at supporting post-revenue and growth-stage fintech startups in Tanzania. The program enhances startups' investment readiness through a comprehensive Investor-Readiness Program (IRP) while connecting them with strategic partners and investors. Tailored for fintechs addressing challenges in payments, savings, lending, investing, insurance, and e-commerce, PesaTech provides bespoke technical and business support to help startups scale and make a lasting impact. In partnership with Anza Entrepreneurs and NMB Bank, the accelerator offers access to funding, mentorship, and a fintech sandbox, fostering the growth of innovative digital solutions.

Research and Development Network

The Research & Development Network (RDN) is a comprehensive platform designed to support entrepreneurs in Africa by providing tailored programs for startup development, business growth, and funding. Through its three core labs—Startups Lab, Growth Lab, and Funding Lab—RDN helps entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable businesses. The platform offers expert guidance in validating and developing minimum viable products (MVPs), crafting funding plans, building a growth mindset, and connecting startups with investors. With a focus on mentorship, resources, and collaboration, RDN is dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs to grow and scale successful ventures.

Sahara Accelerator

Sahara Accelerator is a dynamic program designed to support Africa's most promising startups and SMEs by providing access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic networks. Focused on post-revenue SMEs and post-MVP startups with proven business models, Sahara Accelerator offers a flexible, virtual program that caters to the specific needs of each business. Participants gain access to expert mentors, industry professionals, and a diverse network of investors and strategic partners—all while maintaining full ownership of their businesses, as the program is equity-free. Sahara Accelerator is committed to empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses with minimal resources and maximum impact.

SheTech Incubator & Accelerator Program

The SheTech Incubator and Accelerator Program, hosted by LP Digital under The Launchpad Tanzania, is a transformative 6-month program designed to empower young women (aged 18-35) based in Dar es Salaam to develop digital solutions in areas such as Health Tech, FinTech, EdTech, Climate Tech, Agri Tech, and E-commerce. This cost-free program offers hands-on support for participants with either an idea or a prototype ready for market testing. Participants gain access to expert-led workshops, networking opportunities, product development support, workspace, funding options, and legal assistance. Focused on feminist technologies and women’s digital inclusion, SheTech provides a platform to design and co-create solutions that meet the unique needs of women in the digital age.

Smart Lab

Smartlab is an innovation hub based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, dedicated to driving the growth of the African innovation ecosystem by connecting corporates, startups, and investors. The organization offers tailored programs designed to foster collaboration, talent development, and groundbreaking digital solutions that address community challenges across Africa. Smartlab’s initiatives include accelerator programs, talent services, masterclasses, and events that provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to succeed. By empowering African youth, startups, and corporates, Smartlab aims to unlock new opportunities and make a lasting impact on the continent’s development.

SUGECO Incubation Program

The Sokoine University Graduate Entrepreneurs Cooperative (SUGECO) is an incubation program based in Morogoro, Tanzania, dedicated to empowering youth and graduates by providing resources and support to start and grow their agribusiness ventures. Through mentorship, capacity building, internships, and access to land and technology, SUGECO fosters innovative solutions in the agricultural value chain. The program has successfully nurtured numerous businesses, such as SANAVITA COMPANY LTD, which utilizes solar dryer technology to process nutritious crops. With a focus on sustainable development and economic prosperity, SUGECO is a key player in promoting youth-led entrepreneurship and agribusiness in Tanzania.

University of Dar Es Salaam ICT Innovation Hub

The University of Dar es Salaam ICT Innovation Hub (UDICTI) is a platform designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students, helping them turn their ideas into impactful solutions. With a focus on addressing social and corporate challenges, UDICTI provides training, mentorship, and resources across three core hubs: the Training Hub, MVP Studio, and Commercialization Hub. These hubs support students through various stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from skill development and prototyping to market-ready product commercialization. UDICTI collaborates with industry partners to enhance learning outcomes, drive digital transformation, and empower students to create solutions for sustainable economic and social growth.

Vodacom Accelerator

The Vodacom Digital Accelerator, in partnership with Smartlab, is a transformative program designed to support early-stage and growth-stage technology startups in Tanzania. Focused on disruptive products and services, the program offers expert training, mentorship, resources, and funding to help startups scale and become profitable, revenue-generating businesses. Through collaboration and innovation, the accelerator aims to drive sustainable growth and empower entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape. By providing startups with the tools and support they need, the Vodacom Digital Accelerator is paving the way for impactful, market-ready solutions.

Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha

The Westerwelle Entrepreneurship Programme East Africa is a dynamic accelerator designed to support high-potential digital and tech-enabled startups in East Africa. Operating across Rwanda and Tanzania, the program offers six months of intensive acceleration, including access to co-working spaces, technical advisory, business and leadership training, and one-on-one mentoring. With a focus on scaling operations beyond borders, the program empowers startups to attract investors, grow their businesses, and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To date, the initiative has supported 30 startups, generated $3.5 million in revenue, and created 83 jobs.

WFP Innovation Hub Tanzania

The WFP Innovation Hub in Tanzania, established in 2017, plays a pivotal role in driving innovation within the country’s food security and agricultural sectors. Aligned with the World Food Programme’s Zero Hunger 2030 agenda, the hub focuses on areas such as smallholder agriculture, market access, nutrition, and emergency response. By connecting local and international startups with tailored innovation services, funding, and support, the hub accelerates solutions to critical challenges in these fields. It also explores transformative, long-term innovations through pioneering projects and strengthens Tanzania’s broader innovation ecosystem through workshops, events, and collaborations with other hubs and agencies.

Tanzania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is flourishing, thanks to the unwavering support of VC firms and innovation hubs that are helping to nurture early-stage startups. These organizations are more than just sources of funding—they provide essential mentorship, training, and networks to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of growing a business. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and impact, the VC firms and accelerators featured in this article are shaping the future of innovation in Tanzania. As the country continues to embrace entrepreneurship and digital transformation, these hubs are poised to play an even more significant role in accelerating growth and creating opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.