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Dar es Salaam's Startup Ecosystem
June 6, 2024  
Dar es Salaam's Startup Ecosystem: Driving Tanzania’s Innovation and Economic Growth In the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is highlighted as a notable ecosystem, especially in the context of African and East African cities for startups. Dar es Salaam is ranked 490th globally with a score of 0.507. In the previous […]

Dar es Salaam's Startup Ecosystem: Driving Tanzania’s Innovation and Economic Growth

In the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is highlighted as a notable ecosystem, especially in the context of African and East African cities for startups. Dar es Salaam is ranked 490th globally with a score of 0.507. In the previous year, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was ranked 536th globally in the Startup Ecosystem Index​. This positioning reflects positive momentum within Tanzania's startup ecosystem, indicating growth and potential in this region.

Positions of Dar es Salaam and other East African cities in the Startup Ecosystem Index for the years 2023 and 2024:

City2023 Position2024 PositionPosition Change
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania536490+46
Nairobi, Kenya198183+15
Kampala, Uganda850840+10
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia755725+30
  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Improved by 46 positions, indicating significant progress and positive momentum in the startup ecosystem.
  • Nairobi, Kenya: Improved by 15 positions, maintaining its strong position as a leading startup hub in East Africa.
  • Kampala, Uganda: Improved by 10 positions, showing steady growth in its startup ecosystem.
  • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Improved by 30 positions, reflecting considerable advancement and increasing recognition in the global startup landscape.

Dar es Salaam's improvement is notable compared to other East African cities, highlighting its growing importance and potential as a startup hub in the region.

The report also places Dar es Salaam among the top cities from unranked countries that have shown significant improvement. Specifically, Dar es Salaam leads along with other cities like Luanda and Tashkent, which are within the top 600 globally. This ranking underscores the city's increasing relevance and attractiveness for startup activities within Africa and East Africa.

In terms of the broader regional context, Dar es Salaam's ranking shows it is on an upward trajectory, potentially becoming a more significant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the coming years.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024 provides insights into Tanzania's entrepreneurship and economic development, particularly focusing on Dar es Salaam:

  1. Global and Regional Ranking: Dar es Salaam is ranked 490th globally and is one of the top cities from unranked countries showing significant momentum. This reflects the city’s growing prominence in the global startup landscape.
  2. Economic Development: The report highlights Tanzania’s positive trajectory in entrepreneurship, driven by various initiatives and an improving business environment. This progress is indicative of broader economic development efforts within the country. The momentum in Dar es Salaam is a sign of increasing economic activities and a favorable climate for innovation and startups.
  3. Support for Startups: The city benefits from a range of supportive measures aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. These include public and private sector initiatives, international partnerships, and efforts to create a conducive environment for startups. This supportive ecosystem is crucial for sustained economic growth and the development of a robust entrepreneurial culture.
  4. Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Dar es Salaam's rise in the rankings demonstrates the city's potential to become a significant startup hub in East Africa. The city’s ecosystem is characterized by a mix of local talent, emerging tech industries, and increasing access to funding and resources for startups.

Hence, Dar es Salaam's positioning in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index underscores Tanzania's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic development, positioning the city as a key player in the regional and global startup ecosystem.

Source: Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024

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