Tanzania is projected to double its economy size in the next ten to twenty years, potentially positioning it as the largest economy in the East African region.

This bold and promising outlook is supported by the country's growing infrastructure, political stability, vast natural resources, and strategic investments in sectors like energy, agriculture, and digital technology.

The country’s youthful population is another critical factor that could drive long-term development. 

Innovation is set to play a pivotal role in driving Tanzania’s economy over the next 20 years, reshaping industries and fostering inclusive development. 

As the country positions itself as a key player in the East African Community (EAC) and beyond, technological advancements, research commercialization, and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem are essential for achieving sustainable economic growth.

With a youthful and tech-savvy population, Tanzania is set to become a hub for youth-led innovation. 

Initiatives such as the FUNGUO Innovation Programme and COSTECH’s support for research commercialization will nurture startups in sectors ranging from agri-tech to clean energy, creating employment opportunities and driving economic diversification.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam last week during the signing of a partnership for Innovation Week 2025, the UNDP resident representative, Shigeki Komatsubara, emphasized that investing in the future, particularly the youth, is vital for promoting inclusive growth. 

The Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 (IWTz2025), anchored by Vodacom’s Future Ready Summit, will run from May 12 to 16, 2025, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, with complementary activities taking place nationwide.

“Tanzania is undergoing remarkable socio-economic transformation after attaining middle-income status. What is needed now is to create value and opportunity by moving forward together,” Komatsubara stated. 

“Tanzania manages its economy and finance very well. To be resilient, we need to ensure that more people are connected to create value,” he emphasized.

He highlighted that Tanzania is currently generating significant wealth, which could translate into doubling its economic size in the next one to two decades. 

“For us to continue developing, we need stability, which Tanzania has achieved significantly,” he noted, adding that the youth population needs to be connected through innovation to create value.

Komatsubara stressed that building a strong foundation for innovation in Tanzania will enable value addition to businesses, driving private sector growth—the engine of economic development. 

“At UNDP, we believe that innovation is central to tackling the challenges of sustainable development and creating inclusive growth opportunities. That’s why we’ve established the FUNGUO Innovation Programme with invaluable support from the European Union and FCDO,” Komatsubara said. 

“Through this partnership, we aim to unlock the potential of Tanzanians, particularly youth and women, to become drivers of transformative change.”

Vodacom Tanzania Managing Director Phillip Besiimire highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration to support innovations among young people in Tanzania. 

“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in redefining Tanzania’s innovation landscape, transcending national borders to unite global thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from Africa and beyond,” he stated. 

“By bringing international perspectives and expertise into these discussions, we aim to establish Tanzania as a vibrant hub for digital transformation and a youth-led innovation ecosystem.”

He further noted that the Future Ready Summit’s focus this year is “Shaping Urban Futures: Smart, Sustainable, Inclusive,” underscoring the urgent need to reimagine Tanzanian cities to address rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological disruption. “Technology is going to stay with us, but we must guard against technology apartheid,” he cautioned.

“Technology will continue evolving. If we are not well-prepared, many will be left behind,” Besiimire said. 

He emphasized that Tanzania’s technology space has immense potential, with numerous companies engaging in innovative ventures, though collaborative efforts are required to create equal technological opportunities for all. 

“We want to leverage technology to ensure that everyone is included,” he added.

Besiimire noted that the telecom company has, over the last six years, engaged in partnerships to create a unified platform for scaling technological initiatives. 

Under the theme “Innovation for a Resilient and Inclusive Future,” this year’s Innovation Week will address pressing issues such as creating smart, sustainable urban futures, tackling youth employment challenges in the digital era, and accelerating the commercialization of research and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Dr. Athman Mgumia, Director of the Center for Development and Transfer of Technology at COSTECH, underscored the importance of collaboration. “COSTECH is dedicated to connecting stakeholders across the ecosystem to accelerate research, technology, and innovation that align with Tanzania’s development priorities and Vision 2050,” he said. 

“IWTz2025 will serve as a unique platform for the public and private sectors to jointly explore and drive solutions for sustainable growth.”

With hundreds of participants, speakers, and innovators expected from Tanzania, Africa, and beyond, IWTz2025 and FRS2025 will act as dynamic hubs for knowledge sharing and collaboration. 

Over the next two decades, innovation will be the driving force behind Tanzania’s transformation into a competitive and resilient economy. 

By harnessing the potential of technology, entrepreneurship, and research, the country is poised to become a leader in the East African region, delivering improved livelihoods and sustainable development for its people.