COSTECH launches a national program to accelerate the growth of startups, innovation ecosystem

DAR ES SALAAM: To promote and strengthen youth-owned startups, the National Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has officially launched a national program to accelerate the growth of startups and enhance the country’s innovation ecosystem (Tanzania Ventures Lab).

COSTECH collaborated with Sahara Ventures in a program that aims to connect innovators, researchers, private sector investors, and government institutions to improve social and economic linkages among stakeholders.

The launch took place today, March 12, 2026, at COSTECH headquarters in Dar es Salaam, bringing together government agencies, universities, innovation hubs, the private sector, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners.

Speaking at the launch, Sahara Ventures CEO, Jumanne Mtambalike, said the program will be implemented through the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) and aims to reach 1,000 startups over four years, supporting 250 companies annually in six key sectors: mining, energy, tourism, agriculture and livestock, manufacturing, and technology.

“We will support 250 youth-owned companies each year for four years, working closely with the relevant ministries to ensure that young innovators and their companies have substantial opportunities to be selected,” Mtambalike said.

He added that the program’s main objectives are to accelerate the growth of innovative high-potential startups, convert research results from universities and research institutions into commercially viable products and services, strengthen collaboration among government, universities, the private sector, and investors, improve access to capital and investment opportunities, and increase the international competitiveness of Tanzania’s innovative businesses.

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COSTECH Director General, Amos Nungu, said the program is important because many startups lack technical support, research results often remain in laboratories instead of reaching the market, and young entrepreneurs struggle with access to capital and markets.

“This initiative is not only about supporting startups; it is an effort to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem, where the government provides policy and guidance, universities provide research and expertise, the private sector opens markets, investors provide capital, and development partners help strengthen the entire innovation system,” Nungu explained.

DTBi Director, Patience Karua, added that DTBi, in collaboration with Sahara Ventures, intends to implement the program effectively to create positive outcomes in business systems, help young entrepreneurs position themselves in the market, and attract investors.