WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY IN TANZANIA: WHO IS DOING WHAT?
First, to answer the question in the title, we welcome you to watch this short virtual presentation — https://youtu.be/FWI2dXTkIZM
Over the years, Tanzania has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the role of women in the technology sector and advancing gender equality in the digital landscape. Women have continuously pushed boundaries, breaking into spaces that were traditionally male-dominated and proving that innovation and leadership know no gender. As we insisted in our 2023 Documentary — The Big Picture, TECHNOLOGY HAS NO GENDER.
The journey of women in technology in Tanzania has been one of resilience, growth, and innovation. Over the past decade, women have moved from being underrepresented in ICT fields to becoming some of the most influential leaders in the digital space. This transformation has been driven by increased enrollment in ICT courses, government and private sector initiatives promoting digital literacy, and a rise in women-led startups. According to the Tanzania ICT Commission, startup employment grew by 14.65% in 2022, and the number of tech startups increased by 15%, while not very high, it is a clear sign that Tanzania is gradually creating an ecosystem where women can thrive in technology.
One of the pivotal moments in this journey has been the recognition of women pioneers in technology, who have paved the way for the next generation. Their contributions have helped shape Tanzania’s digital landscape, ensuring that more women are empowered to take leadership roles in the ICT sector.
An inspiring example is Eng. Clarence Ichwekeleeza, who In 2024, Eng. Clarence Ichwekeleeza was awarded the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the Tanzania Women and Technology Conference. A distinguished leader in the ICT sector, Eng. Ichwekeleeza played a pivotal role in shaping Tanzania’s digital transformation. Her contributions include:
- Strategic guidance in postal business programs, aligning them with the country’s digital economy agenda.
- Leading the design and implementation of the National Postal Address System popularly now known as ‘postcodes’, a crucial development for improving digital infrastructure.
- Crafting the ICT Policy of 2016, a framework that has enabled digital advancements across various sectors.
- Key role in Establishing the Tanzania ICT Commission, ensuring structured oversight and development of the tech industry.
Her achievements serve as a testament to the impact of women in technology and underscore the importance of continued investment in female-led innovation.
She recently was also appointed to the board of the Universal Postal Union, a massive win for Tanzania.
Breaking Barriers : Honoring the 2025 Women Leading in Tanzanian Tech
Across Tanzania, women-led innovations are tackling challenges ranging from financial inclusion to waste management, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. The Tanzania Women in Tech Association, this 2025 has recognized several outstanding female-led initiatives that are redefining the digital landscape in Tanzania. These innovators exemplify resilience, creativity, and a commitment to transforming lives through technology.
The 2025 awardees reflect the ongoing progress and dedication of women in advancing technology.
The Rising Star Award — Faith Msangi, Founder of KAPPU
Faith Msangi is on a mission to revolutionize lives through innovation in Tanzania. As the founder of KAPPU, she is empowering group finances through digital record-keeping and automation of repetitive tasks. KAPPU is not only enhancing financial inclusion but is also shaping the future of fintech in Tanzania. Beyond her startup, Faith is a student at the University of Dar es Salaam, showcasing her commitment to innovation and education.
The Impact Award — Help to Help Foundation
The Help to Help Foundation empowers changemakers by providing access to higher education, employment opportunities, and essential digital skills. Their Technology for Gender Empowerment and Employability (TGEE) Bootcamps have trained over 900 women in IT skills, directly boosting digital literacy and career opportunities for women in STEM. Their scholarship program has supported 205 girls in STEM and 177 in Medicine & Health, contributing to increased female representation in crucial sectors.
The Women-Led Tech Companies Award — Millennium Engineers, Led by Diana Mbogo
Millennium Engineers is a women-led Tanzanian renewable energy company specializing in solar and wind energy technologies. Led by Diana Mbogo, the company tailors clean energy solutions based on the needs of specific communities, industries, and businesses. By integrating cost, culture, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, Millennium Engineers is making strides in Tanzania’s renewable energy sector.
The Digital Resilience Award — Najma Paul
A renowned TV host, speaker, brand influencer, and voice-over artist, Najma Paul has used her platform to advocate for self-acceptance, confidence, and resilience, especially for women with visible scars and unconventional beauty stories. Through her initiative Kovu la Thamani, she has empowered countless women to overcome societal stigma, onlime gender based violence and amplify their voices, inspiring resilience in both the digital and media landscapes.
The Innovation Award — Lulu Ameir, Founder of Bela Vendor
Lulu Ameir founded Bela Vendor, a startup tackling period poverty by providing access to affordable menstrual products and hygiene education. Her journey began in 2017 when she received a grant from the Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge (DLIIC). Through Bela Vendor, Lulu ensures that girls and women in schools, universities, and workplaces have access to safe and affordable menstrual products.
The Community Builder Award — Apps and Girls
The Apps and Girls initiative is dedicated to bridging the gender gap in technology by equipping girls with high-quality software and hardware programming skills. This nonprofit focuses on empowering underprivileged girls at various education levels, from secondary school to university, by providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
Their work is instrumental in creating a supportive ecosystem for future female tech entrepreneurs in Tanzania.
Showcasing Tanzanian Women-Led Tech Startups
At the 2025 Tanzania Women and Technology Conference, women-led startups took center stage in a pitch deck presentation challenge. This platform provided female tech entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their solutions to key stakeholders and the broader tech ecosystem, demonstrating the diverse ways in which women are driving innovation in Tanzania.
Some of the standout startups included:
Smarket — Founded by Aisha Kikari, Smarket is an e-commerce platform that integrates augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance the online shopping experience. By enabling virtual try-on features, the platform helps customers bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping, increasing confidence in e-commerce and positioning Tanzania in the growing $277.1 billion African e-commerce market.
Garage Popote — Led by Lilian Makulu, Garage Popote is a digital platform and chatbot that connects vehicle owners with nearby mechanics and spare parts suppliers. By offering real-time assistance, accessibility to verified service providers, and transportation solutions, the startup is simplifying vehicle maintenance for Tanzanians.
TAKA-SMART — A waste management technology startup co-founded by Emile Marco, TAKA-SMART is tackling Dar es Salaam’s waste crisis by offering real-time waste collection tracking, digital payments for waste disposal, and optimized pickup scheduling. With over 4,500 tonnes of waste generated daily, this solution is promoting environmental sustainability and public health.
PlateAI — A health tech innovation that leverages AI-driven meal planning to address non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. With over 41 million deaths globally attributed to NCDs annually, PlateAI is ensuring access to personalized, healthy meal plans tailored to local Tanzanian diets.
Mom-Arena Care — Founded by Rehema Saadan, Mom-Arena Care is a telemedicine platform providing affordable and accessible maternal and newborn healthcare. Through AI-powered consultations, e-insurance for maternity care, and a 24/7 emergency call center, the startup aims to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve reproductive health services.
This pitch challenge not only amplified these groundbreaking solutions but also underscored the vital role of women entrepreneurs in driving digital transformation in Tanzania. It provided networking opportunities, potential funding connections, and exposure for these tech-driven initiatives.
What is the Government doing?
The Tanzanian government, through institutions like the ICT Commission and Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), is actively working to create an enabling environment for women in technology.
ICT Commission Initiatives:
- The Commission reported that startup employment in Tanzania grew by 14.65%, creating 89,509 jobs in 2022.
- Internet penetration has reached 50%, with a target to achieve 80% to position Tanzania among Africa’s top five digital economies.
- Investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to contribute $1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030. The ICT Commission is working to promote AI adoption in Tanzania.
- Programs like Django Girls, SmartGirlzs, and Digify Labs are being funded to empower secondary school and university students in ICT skills.
COSTECH Initiatives:
- A dedicated 150 million TSH fund has been allocated to support female founders in tech, benefitting over 200 women entrepreneurs.
- Innovation hubs like BUNI and DTBi are fostering digital innovation and entrepreneurship by providing mentorship and funding opportunities.
These government-driven initiatives, combined with private sector efforts, are significantly enhancing the capacity of women to lead in the digital space.
Challenges and The Path Forward
Despite these advancements, women in Tanzania’s tech space still face significant barriers, including limited access to funding, gender bias, and inadequate representation in leadership roles.
To bridge these gaps, concerted efforts are needed from the government, private sector, and development partners. Key recommendations include:
- Increased Investment in Women-Led Startups. Establishing more gender-focused funding initiatives to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their innovations. We can offer so many insights on this from our experience on running two cohorts so far in the SHETECH Incubator and Accelerator Program.
- Expanding Digital Skills Training through promoting tailor made STEM education and coding boot camps to equip more women with the necessary skills for the digital economy.
- Strengthening Networking and Mentorship Programs, seeing is BELIEVING AND INSPIRING. We need to create more platforms where women can connect, share experiences, and gain mentorship from industry leaders and pioneers.
- Policy Reforms to Encourage Gender Inclusion, and the question here would be, is the 2023 ICT Policy reflective and intentional on what we need to achieve to advance gender equality in technology? Governments and policymakers must ensure that regulations promote equal opportunities in tech and digital entrepreneurship. How do we use the policy to drive implementation of concrete, sustainable and accessible pathways in tech?
- Corporate Partnerships for Market Access through encouraging collaborations between startups, mobile network operators, tech giants, and local enterprises to create a PIPELINE OF SUPPORT,provide women-led innovations with greater exposure and scaling opportunities.
Tanzanian women are proving that they are not only capable of participating in the digital revolution but are also leading the charge. The stories of these remarkable innovators demonstrate the transformative power of technology in driving economic and social change. However, for Tanzania to fully capitalize on the digital economy, systemic support must be reinforced to ensure that more women can innovate, lead, and inspire future generations in the tech space. By advancing policies, investments, and capacity-building efforts, Tanzania can truly empower its digital future — one led by women, for all.
Government Initiatives Supporting Women in Tech
The Tanzanian government, through institutions like the ICT Commission and Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), is actively working to create an enabling environment for women in technology.
ICT Commission Initiatives:
— The Commission reported that startup employment in Tanzania grew by 14.65%, creating 89,509 jobs in 2022.
— Internet penetration has reached 50%, with a target to achieve 80% to position Tanzania among Africa’s top five digital economies.
— Investment in **Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to contribute $1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030. The ICT Commission is working to promote AI adoption in Tanzania.
— Programs like Django Girls, SmartGirlzs, and Digify Labs are being funded to empower secondary school and university students in ICT skills.
COSTECH Initiatives:
— A dedicated 150 million TSH fund has been allocated to support female founders in tech, benefitting over 200 women entrepreneurs.
— Innovation hubs like BUNI and DTBi are fostering digital innovation and entrepreneurship by providing mentorship and funding opportunities.
These government-driven initiatives, combined with private sector efforts, are significantly enhancing the capacity of women to lead in the digital space.
Challenges and The Path Forward
Despite these advancements, women in Tanzania’s tech space still face significant barriers, including limited access to funding, gender bias, and inadequate representation in leadership roles. To bridge these gaps, concerted efforts are needed from the government, private sector, and development partners. Key recommendations include:
1. Increased Investment in Women-Led Startups — Establishing more gender-focused funding initiatives to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their innovations.
2. Expanding Digital Skills Training— Enhancing STEM education and coding boot camps to equip more women with the necessary skills for the digital economy.
3. Strengthening Networking and Mentorship Programs— Creating platforms where women can connect, share experiences, and gain mentorship from industry leaders.
4. Policy Reforms to Encourage Gender Inclusion — Governments and policymakers must ensure that regulations promote equal opportunities in tech and digital entrepreneurship.
5. Corporate Partnerships for Market Access — Encouraging collaborations between startups, tech giants, and local enterprises to provide women-led innovations with greater exposure and scaling opportunities.
Conclusion
Tanzanian women are proving that they are not only capable of participating in the digital revolution but are also leading the charge. The stories of these remarkable innovators demonstrate the transformative power of technology in driving economic and social change. However, for Tanzania to fully capitalize on the digital economy, systemic support must be reinforced to ensure that more women can innovate, lead, and inspire future generations in the tech space. By advancing policies, investments, and capacity-building efforts, Tanzania can truly empower its digital future — one led by women, for all.
