By Charles Mkoka
A high-level fireside chat at the Tanzania Startup Week 2025 placed a spotlight on the gaps in the country’s legal and regulatory environment for venture capital and private equity, with experts calling for predictable, investor-friendly systems to unlock financing for startups.
The discussion, moderated by Emily Mwenewanda, Policy Director at the UK–TZ Green Growth Facility under Palladium Group, explored the persistent challenges facing early-stage companies.
Mwenewanda noted that Tanzania has “long struggled with foundational issues for startups,” adding that progress will require sustained work across government and industry.
TRI co-founder Nico Kajdaia highlighted the financing pressures facing young businesses, warning that weak structures often force startups to seek risky alternatives.
“We are still paying interest on ourselves. There are many issues that need to be addressed, and I believe that institutions such as BRELA and TRA, when working together, can simplify processes and make the system more practical,” Kajdaia said.
The conversation intensified as panelists agreed that Tanzania remains one of the most attractive markets in the region but risks losing momentum without regulatory reform.
Lexi Lee, Venture Associate at African Renaissance Venture, stressed that investor confidence depends on reliability and smooth capital flows.
“If you can’t get money out, you can’t get money in,” she said. “Investors look for predictability—safe, open environments where they can invest freely. There are thousands of investors eager to support Tanzanian startups, but the framework must enable this.” She added.
Adding to the discussion, Burak Büyüksaraç, CEO of Africapital, commended the progress made through national and international forums but urged stakeholders not to overlook key bottlenecks.
“We must acknowledge the efforts so far. But we also need to address issues including double taxation, which remains a major concern,” he stated.
Representing the government side, Greyson Moshi, a Registration Officer from BRELA, affirmed the agency’s commitment to improving business services to support the ecosystem is vital.
Moshi noted that BRELA has upgraded its digital systems to accelerate service delivery for both local and international startups.
“We have been facilitating business registration and administering relevant laws efficiently for decades. We are integrated with systems including TIN, TRA, NIDA, TISEZA and others, which makes processing much more faster for all including startups,” he added.
He also emphasized that BRELA continues to advance its digital operations and streamline services to support Tanzania’s evolving startup landscape.
