Zanzibar Startup Association

A membership-based umbrella organisation that brings together stakeholders of startup ecosystem in Zanzibar to drive the agenda that ensures the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Supporting startups on Lobbying, Advocacy, Research & Networks

Why should it be us?

Small and emerging businesses in Zanzibar overwhelmingly fuel the economy and provider of local jobs. However, business owner’s especially up and coming businesses have several challenges to overcome that are mostly exclusive to Zanzibar’s ecosystem and the nature of doing business within the islands. Despite their enthusiasm, the majority of African entrepreneurs lack the formal education and background which the western counterparts have enjoyed.

This inevitably means such entrepreneurs are inexperienced and, oftentimes, they struggle with key areas of developing their business such as the fundraising process. Challenges such as limited access of financing, weak infrastructure, inconsistent government regulations, minimal assistance from the government, and cross-border payments are among the few issues that make running and starting a business very challenging in Zanzibar.

THEREFORE, in order to overcome and tackle these problems we have decided to establish Zanzibar Start-up Association an umbrella membership based organization which bring together stakeholders of start-up ecosystem in Zanzibar to drive the agenda that ensures the growth of the start-up ecosystem.

What we do

Advocacy

Advocating and lobbying for policies, laws, and regulatory frameworks that foster the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Investment

Working with local international players in to accelerate the flow of capital investment opportunities to the ecosystem.

Insights

Producing data and information to help keep track of the ecosystem.

Partners

We work with public institutions, private companies, development partners, academia, hubs and investor networks, to foster,nurture and enhance the startup ecosystem in Zanzibar.