Tanzanian startups have been urged to use partnerships with American companies to access investment, technology and international markets as the government seeks to make innovation a driver of industrialisation and economic growth.
Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Dennis Londo said local entrepreneurs needed to look beyond the domestic market and develop businesses capable of competing internationally, with the United States offering opportunities for collaboration and expansion.
He made the remarks in Dar es Salaam during a discussion with US Ambassador to Tanzania William Trachman on the third day of Tanzania Startup Week 2026, organised by the Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Mr Londo said innovation, particularly among young people, would be central to achieving Development Vision 2050, which aims to build an inclusive economy supported by industrial development and increased value addition.
“The goal of our vision is to ensure that we have an inclusive economy, where everyone, in their respective capacity, participates in implementing Development Vision 2050,” he said.
He said innovation should underpin efforts to increase the value of locally produced goods and strengthen industries, adding that technology could help businesses address practical challenges across different sectors.
For example, digital solutions could connect farmers with markets, improve transport and strengthen links between production and commerce, he said.
Mr Londo also pointed to the experience of Silicon Valley in the United States as a potential source of lessons for Tanzanian startups seeking to build competitive businesses.
He said engagement with American partners could expose young entrepreneurs to international experience and create opportunities for cooperation in technology and business development.
US Ambassador William Trachman urged Tanzania to take advantage of opportunities to work with American companies, saying such partnerships could help local innovators expand their businesses and attract investment.
He said the United States had demonstrated how innovative businesses could contribute to economic development and that American companies were ready to collaborate with Tanzanian entrepreneurs.
For Tanzanian startups, however, turning such opportunities into business growth will require products and services that meet international market requirements, alongside the capacity to attract investment and establish sustainable commercial partnerships.
TSA Director General Zahoro Muhaji said cooperation with American stakeholders could help local startups access capital, exchange technology and build commercial relationships that would support their expansion.
He said US stakeholders had expressed willingness to work with Tanzanian startups, creating potential opportunities for businesses seeking to strengthen their operations and reach new customers.
Mr Muhaji also highlighted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market for qualifying products.
He urged young entrepreneurs seeking to export their products to explore the opportunities available under the programme and prepare to meet the requirements of international markets.
AGOA could provide an avenue for eligible Tanzanian products to reach American buyers, although businesses must satisfy the relevant eligibility, product and trade requirements to benefit.
Mr Muhaji said TSA would continue working with the Tanzanian and US governments to strengthen cooperation and widen opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Tanzania Startup Week 2026 has brought together government officials, private-sector representatives and startups to discuss ways of improving the business environment, attracting investment and expanding access to technology and capital.
The discussions reflect the government's wider ambition to make innovation and industrial development central to Tanzania's long-term economic transformation under Development Vision 2050.
For startups, the immediate task is to translate international interest into practical partnerships, financing and market access that can help businesses grow, create jobs and increase the value of products made in Tanzania.