The delegation took off on the Presidential Plane on May 30, 2024, from Dar es Salaam. Although this is the first time startups have flown in the presidential plane, this is the third time President Samia Suluhu Hassan has included companies in her delegation.
Startup founders including 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) are among the delegation, which is led by TSA CEO Mr. Zahoro Muhaji.
On Monday, June 3, the startups will tour Pangyo Technovalley, an industrial complex in Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, commonly known as the Silicon Valley of Korea, with Honourable Nape Moses Nnauye, Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology. Pangyo Technovalley is primarily concerned with biotech, fusion, information, and cultural technologies.
Along with the Presidential Delegation, the startup delegation will visit Aerospace University, where the President will receive an honorary PhD. In addition, the startups will meet with Her Excellency and take part in the Korea Africa Youth Startup Forum 2024, which is slated for June 5, 2024, on Wednesday.
During this visit, the Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) and the Korea Africa Foundation (KAF) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a critical milestone that will stimulate greater collaboration between Tanzania and Korea in the startup ecosystem. KAF was founded in June 2018 as a branch of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its goal is to foster sincere collaborations in political, economic, cultural, intellectual, and other spheres with the African continent.
Through conducting thorough research and supporting experts in Africa, KAF hopes to act as a forum for cooperation between the public and commercial sectors. Through increased mutual understanding and strengthened trade and cooperation with African nations, it hopes to open up new avenues for Korean enterprises, organizations, and youth to explore.
“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,” Mr. Muhaji stated.
