20 Tanzanian entrepreneurs join Afrogreen 3.0 as Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha marks four years

ARUSHA: WESTERWELLE Startup Haus Arusha (WSHA) marked four years of supporting entrepreneurs in northern Tanzania, with the launch of the third cohort of AfroGreen, a nine-month programme bringing together 20 Tanzanian businesses developing solutions to climate-related challenges.

Co-financed by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania and the Westerwelle Foundation in Germany, AfroGreen supports businesses in renewable energy, circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, climate adaptation and sustainable value chains. Eight of the selected businesses (40%) are women-led, with 15 based in Arusha and five in Dar es Salaam and Iringa.

The new cohort builds on the first two editions, which supported 30 startups, contributed to 42 jobs and mobilised more than €132,000. Through the latest programme, all 20 businesses will receive support to prepare for fundraising and measure their climate impact, while the programme targets at least 40 new jobs and two to three investment commitments.

For WSHA, the programme reflects how its support for entrepreneurs is evolving towards helping businesses grow and attract investment.

“Four years ago, we opened WSHA to connect Tanzanian entrepreneurs to the Westerwelle Foundation’s global network. Many of those founders have now outgrown early-stage support, and our plan to 2030 focuses on what they need next: investment readiness, international connections, and closer ties with Arusha’s business community for mentorship, trade, and finance. AfroGreen is that plan in action, backing climate ventures that create jobs and help Tanzanian communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Isaack Shayo, Country Director, Westerwelle Foundation Tanzania.

This growth also depends on partnerships that give entrepreneurs access to the resources and expertise they need. Switzerland is supporting AfroGreen for the second time, recognising the importance of this support in addressing climate challenges.

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. It affects every aspect of our lives, and Tanzania is no exception. Access to finance, technical expertise, networks and the right business support can make all the difference. And this is precisely why Switzerland is supporting the AfroGreen programme for the second time,” said Andrea Inglin, Head of Employment and Income, Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania.

Since opening in 2022, WSHA has supported 809 entrepreneurs, including 309 startups, with women accounting for 55% of those reached. Its fourth anniversary brought together entrepreneurs, investors, development partners and government representatives, including Youth Officer at Arusha City Council Evodius Cleophace, who highlighted the role of such initiatives in expanding opportunities for young people.

“I congratulate you all on this fourth anniversary. The work you are doing is very important and complements the efforts of the government. Through your programmes, you help extend opportunities and support to entrepreneurs who might otherwise be difficult to reach. Thank you for this contribution. I also encourage young people to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. In the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, the Council issued TZS 2 billion in loans to groups of youth, women and people with disabilities, of which TZS 578,702,420 went to youth. Himan Investment, a company that participated in an earlier AfroGreen cohort, has also received a loan of more than TZS 130 million through the Youth Development Fund (YDF). I encourage young entrepreneurs to seek out these opportunities and make good use of them,” he said.

Himan Investment’s participation in an earlier cohort provides an example of how businesses can benefit from such opportunities. Collins Kimaro, WSHA board member and co-founder of Obuntu Hub, which became WSHA through its partnership with the Westerwelle Foundation, also encouraged the new participants to recognise what they can achieve.

“If we were able to grow into this organisation, then what are you capable of?” he asked.

For the new entrepreneurs, AfroGreen offers an opportunity to build on that potential and prepare their businesses for the next stage of growth.

“AfroGreen is a chance for us to grow our businesses and put the right structures in place so that we can attract investment. We expect to leave the programme investment-ready, with the tools and connections to raise the capital we need to scale,” said Fortunatus Fungatwende, Founder, Innolif Aquaculture Group.

Participants will receive business training, one-to-one coaching, investor-readiness support and access to an angel investor network, culminating in a Demo Day on 28 May 2027, where they will pitch to potential investors.

As WSHA enters its fifth year, it will continue supporting Tanzanian entrepreneurs to build stronger businesses, attract investment and create jobs while contributing to solutions to climate challenges.