DAR ES SALAAM: TECHNOLOGY startups have been urged to focus their innovations on key economic sectors to boost productivity, create jobs and support Tanzania’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2050.
The Director General of the Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC), Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, said startups had a critical role in developing the digital economy, calling on young entrepreneurs to use their technological skills to develop solutions to economic and social challenges.
Speaking yesterday in an exclusive interview with the Daily News during Tanzania Startup Week 2026 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Dr Mwasaga said innovation among emerging businesses could stimulate commercial activity and increase the private sector’s contribution to the national economy.
He identified the transformative sectors outlined in the National Development Vision 2050 as priority areas for young entrepreneurs seeking to tap emerging economic opportunities.
“Technology can improve efficiency in logistics, energy, financial services and other productive sectors, while startups can create employment and expand access to markets,” he said.
However, Dr Mwasaga said startup success required more than technical expertise, highlighting the importance of access to capital, business skills, markets, legal advice and effective team-building.
He said ICTC was establishing innovation centres in eight regions to support young entrepreneurs, while the government had allocated about 5bn/- for a loan scheme intended to help startups develop and expand their businesses.
“Vision 2050 aims to build a competitive economy driven by knowledge, technology and innovation, with private sector participation being crucial to achieving this transformation,” he said.
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Tanzania Startups Association (TSA) Chief Executive, Officer Zahoro Muhaji said the country’s startup ecosystem had continued to attract investment, demonstrating its potential to contribute to digital economic growth.
He said startups had attracted nearly 400 million US dollars over the past five years, while funding in 2026 had already exceeded 52 million US dollars.
“This year alone, our ecosystem registered over 52 million US dollars in funding, putting us on track to cross the 100 million US dollars mark for the first time,” he said.
Mr Muhaji stressed the importance of innovative financing models to help early-stage businesses access the capital needed to expand and compete internationally.
He said rising investment highlighted the need for an enabling business environment that would allow startups to secure funding, expand operations and enter new markets.