Tanzania introduces an ICT Startup Labelling Framework

Tanzania has introduced a new way to label startups. The ICT Startup Labelling Framework is a new system to officially recognise and support tech startups that goes beyond simple database listing. In this framework, startups will be labelled Gold, Silver or Tanzanite.  

Gold-labelled startups have some customers and are beginning to build traction. Silver startups have a product and are ready to launch into the market, while tanzanite startups are ready to scale locally and internationally.  

According to the Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) Director-General, Dr Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, who launched the framework at a press conference this week, the official labels are intended to build trust among startups. They will enable them to reduce regulatory fees, access training, and attract investments, including in public contracts. The labelling framework specifically targets startups because it is designed to support high-growth. These innovation-driven ventures aim to scale rapidly, unlike traditional SMEs, which typically focus on steady local operations and lower-risk growth, as shown in the table below.   

The framework is therefore designed to distinguish startups from regular SMEs so that the government can direct resources towards ventures most likely to impact the economy and generate jobs in the tech sectors.  

Over time, some of these startups may grow into SMEs or even large companies, but the focus is on growth potential rather than business size. It is also part of Tanzania’s national goal, Dira 2025, to develop digital tech companies and boost the economy.   

France and Tunisia have similar frameworks for nurturing startups and linking them to investors and opportunities. France’s French Tech Next40/120 has notably boosted visibility, investment, and growth in its startups, while Tunisia’s Startup Tunisia supports startups, investors, and support organisations in developing a vibrant economy. 

Tanzania’s startup ecosystem is gaining real momentum. By 2024, the number of active startups had grown by 24% year-on-year, pushing the total beyond 1,000 ventures. Behind that growth is an expanding support structure: more than 95 hubs, accelerators and mentorship networks now nurture founders across fintech, agritech, health tech and e-commerce. 

Standout success stories are beginning to define the narrative. Fintech firm Nala has emerged as one of the country’s most internationally recognised startups, building a reputation for low-cost cross-border payments and attracting significant venture capital as it scales globally. WASSHA, meanwhile, is tackling energy access through renewable-powered charging stations and off-grid tech solutions, earning recognition on global startup rankings and demonstrating how innovation can address local infrastructure gaps. 

Investor appetite is rising in tandem. Startup funding climbed to US$53 million in 2024, well above previous years, as both domestic and international backers increased their exposure to the Tanzanian market. The trajectory is promising, even if Kenya continues to command the lion’s share of regional capital flows. 

Yet growth figures alone do not guarantee long-term success. Tanzania must avoid the experience of countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Ivory Coast, where startup policies and innovation frameworks exist on paper but have often lacked consistent implementation and deep ecosystem support. 

For Tanzania, the next phase will depend not just on rising capital flows, but on execution – strengthening regulatory clarity, expanding local funding pools, improving infrastructure and ensuring that ecosystem support translates into scalable, sustainable companies. If momentum is matched with disciplined follow-through, the country’s startup surge could evolve into a durable innovation economy.