Vision 2050 to take centre stage during Startup Week

Dar es Salaam. More than 2,000 startup founders, investors, policymakers and innovation leaders are expected to converge in Dar es Salaam from December 1 to 5, for the 2025 edition of Tanzania Startup Week, as the country positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s innovation landscape.

The five-day event, themed “Positioning Startups for Dira 2050 – Unleashing Innovation, Inclusion and Economic Transformation in Africa”, will align Tanzania’s growing startup ecosystem with regional and global markets in support of the nation’s Vision 2050 target of building a $1 trillion economy.

This year’s edition marks a strategic partnership between the event organisers and Africa Business Connex, the MICE arm of Africa Business Inc, which joins as co-host.

Tanzania Startup Week 2025 Co-Chairperson Edwin Bruno said the collaboration aims to elevate the event’s programming for a broader continental audience.

“We saw an opportunity to leverage their capability in developing well-curated conference content for the African audience and we believe this will amplify the impact of the work we are already doing,” he said.

Mr Bruno added that the opening day will focus on translating Tanzania’s Vision 2050 into actionable strategies for startups and innovators—initiatives he said are vital to driving economic growth and creating jobs for young people.

“The day will focus on turning long-term policy frameworks into practical pathways for growth, scaling ventures effectively and expanding employment opportunities for the youth,” he noted.

Africa Business Connex Managing Director and Africa Business Inc Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Ms Lebohang Noruwana-Mkhize, said the event’s timing—coming soon after the G20 Summit in South Africa—was intentional.

“We intend to extend the conversations from the Startup20 engagement group into this important event. This will give Tanzania’s startup ecosystem a platform to engage on the five SU20 priority areas: Foundation and Alliance, Finance and Investment, Inclusion and Sustainability, Market Access and Township and Rural Entrepreneurship,” she said.

A high-profile line-up of speakers is expected, including Timpledge.org CEO Matteo Rizzi, Global Policy House chief HRH Michelle Chivunga, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Skills Audit and Development Prof Varuyayi Mavima, Ghana FinTech and Payments Association President Martin Kwame Awagah, Sahara Ventures CEO Jumanne Mtambalike and Credable Group CEO Nadeem Juma.

Mr Bruno said the conference themes and speaker selections were carefully curated to stimulate innovation, inclusion and economic transformation across Africa.

Each day of the week will spotlight key pillars of innovation and growth. Sessions on investment and deal flow will feature a Fintech Futures Roundtable exploring how Africa can tap into the continent’s estimated $3 trillion digital economy.

Other discussions will focus on the role of universities in commercialising research, fostering entrepreneurship and supporting academic startups, alongside panels on smart cities and artificial intelligence.

The event will conclude with a gala recognising outstanding ecosystem partners and unveiling the roadmap for Tanzania Startup Week 2026.

Launched in 2024, Tanzania Startup Week has become the country’s leading platform for aligning innovation policy, investment capital and market access to drive national economic transformation.

Organisers say the 2025 edition will deepen Pan-African collaboration and accelerate Tanzania’s ambition to build a competitive, inclusive and innovation-driven economy—bringing the country closer to its Vision 2050 goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy.