Tanzania sets record at AfriLab with 25 innovation hubs

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has made history by becoming the first country to send a record 25 innovation hubs to the AfriLab Annual Gathering, held from November 5-8 at the Cape Town Convention Centre in South Africa.

The AfriLab Annual Gathering is one of Africa's largest innovation ecosystem events, bringing together hubs, startups, and investors from across the continent to foster collaboration and growth.

Chairperson of the Tanzania Hubs Network, Kiko Kiwanga, spoke to The Citizen yesterday, praising this milestone as a testament to the country's growing influence and coordination in the African innovation ecosystem.

“This year, Tanzania has demonstrated exceptional organisation by leveraging our national network to lead the largest delegation. This approach has set us apart and positioned our ecosystem as one to watch,” Mr Kiwanga said.

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This unprecedented participation highlights Tanzania’s rising role in Africa’s innovation space, with its presence at AfriLab drawing global attention.

“The delegation, uniquely organised under a national hub network, presented a united front—something that stood out among previous delegations,” he revealed.

Mr Kiwanga shared that the Tanzanian delegation sparked interest from international stakeholders, many of whom are eager to learn more about the country's innovation landscape.

He noted that meetings held during the event resulted in commitments from investors and potential collaborators to visit Tanzania.

Tanzania’s participation also provided valuable insights into the strategies driving innovation ecosystems in other countries.

Mr Kiwanga pointed to the partnerships between South African and Nigerian ecosystems with global tech giants like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, which have played a significant role in their success.

“The Tanzanian delegation recognised the importance of fostering similar partnerships to provide startups with essential tools and resources,” he explained. He also noted the importance of sustained focus and consistency in the success of ecosystems in countries such as Nigeria.

“They have had sustained focus and policies that have allowed their hubs to grow and thrive over time. This is something we must learn from,” he said. Another key takeaway from the event was the role of supportive policy and regulatory frameworks in attracting investors.

“For example, in South Africa, clear and supportive policies have created an environment where investors are confident about long-term returns,” he observed.

He emphasised that Tanzania’s strong representation at AfriLab underscores the country’s potential to lead innovation across the continent.

“To build on this momentum, experts emphasized the need to strengthen collaborations with global tech players, refine policies, and create an investor-friendly environment,” he added.

“This is a defining moment for Tanzania's innovation ecosystem. With the right strategies, we can sustain this progress and unlock even greater opportunities,” Mr Kiwanga said. One of the participants, Hub Manager at Institute of Accountancy Arusha Business StartUp Centre (IBSUC), Pamela Chogo, emphasized the importance of innovation hubs in fostering creativity and supporting innovators, reflecting on Tanzania’s record-breaking participation at the event.

According to Ms Chogo, the Tanzanian delegation primarily consisted of hub managers who attended as representatives of innovators and the broader innovation ecosystem.

She added that the insights and connections made during the event would have tangible benefits for Tanzanian innovators.

“What we gained at AfriLabs will be highly impactful for our innovators and the innovation ecosystem in Tanzania,” Ms Chogo stated.

Echoing these sentiments, Community Engagement Officer Rachel Magodi highlighted the significance of Tanzania’s participation in AfriLab, noting the event’s role in connecting major players in Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

“Our main objective at the hub is to drive creativity that provides solutions in rural communities. By engaging with peers from other nations, especially South Africa, we’ve learned how they successfully invest in both urban and rural innovation ecosystems,” she said, expressing confidence that these lessons will benefit Tanzania.

Magodi also emphasized that Tanzania’s strong presence sent a powerful message about the country’s commitment to fostering innovation.

She pointed out the potential for future partnerships, as the team met with investors who showed interest in collaborating with Tanzanian innovators.

“We connected with potential investors who may come to work with us here at home,” she said.