Seoul, South Korea – The Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) and ten startups have joined the Presidential Delegation to Seoul, South Korea, accompanying Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan during her State Visit.

The delegation departed from Dar es Salaam on May 30, 2024, aboard the Presidential Plane. This marks the third time President Samia Suluhu Hassan has included startups in her delegation but the first time startups have travelled in the Presidential Plane. 

Led by TSA CEO Mr. Zahoro Muhaji, the delegation includes startup founders such as Mr. Jumanne Mtambalike from Sahara Ventures, Ms. Lillian Madeje from Niajiri platform, Mr. Godfrey Magila from Magilatech, Mr. Iain Usiri from Ramani, Mr. Mike Mushi from Jamii Media, and Mr. Ikram Soragha from Zanzibar Startup Association (ZSA). The startups, alongside Honourable Nape Moses Nnauye, Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, will visit Pangyo Technovalley, an industrial complex in Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, also known as the Silicon Valley of Korea, on Monday, June 3. Pangyo Technovalley focuses on information technology, biotech, cultural technology, and fusion technology. 

The startup delegation will also visit Aerospace University with the Presidential Delegation, where the President will be honoured with an honorary PhD. Further, the startups will have a meeting with Her Excellency and participate in the Korea Africa Youth Startup Forum 2024, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. 

A significant milestone will be achieved as the Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Africa Foundation (KAF) during this visit, fostering further collaboration between Tanzania and Korea in the startup ecosystem. Established in June 2018 as an affiliation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, KAF's mission is to promote genuine partnerships with the African continent in political, economic, cultural, academic, and other areas. 

By pursuing comprehensive research and fostering professionals in Africa, KAF aims to serve as a platform for collaboration between the private and public sectors. It seeks to strengthen exchange and cooperation with African countries and enhance mutual understanding, enabling Korean youth, businesses, and organizations to explore new dimensions of possibilities with the African continent, which is dynamically unfolding its boundless potential. 


“With the ongoing advancement of technologies, there has been an increasing number of startups with innovative products, solutions, and business models in Tanzania. Joining the Presidential Delegation poses a significant opportunity for startups to engage with startups, investors, and other players in the startup ecosystem in Tanzania and Korea. The MoU with the Korea Africa Foundation is a strategic partnership that will allow Tanzanian startups to gain knowledge, create linkages, and foster collaborations with Korea, a global leader in technology and innovation,” said Mr. Muhaji