SMARTLAB & EIT CLIMATE-KIC LAUNCH ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE CLIMACCELERATOR

Larry Ayo, Business Director at SmartLab addresses the audience during the official launch of Adaptation and Resilience ClimAccelerator in Tanzania which is a partnership between SmartLab and EIT Climate-KIC.

12 December 2024: SmartLab, Tanzania’s leading innovation hub, in partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s foremost climate innovation agency, officially launched the Adaptation and Resilience ClimAccelerator on December 12, 2024. Held at SmartLab Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, the event marked the beginning of the programme’s second cohort, aimed at fostering climate adaptation solutions across Tanzania.

The initiative received over 170 applications from regions like Iringa, Arusha, Dodoma, Zanzibar, Mwanza, and Singida. After a competitive selection process, 10 start-ups were chosen, including Tanzania Viable Farms, HERVEG.05, NDUGUNAMITI ENTERPRISES LTD, Kilimomax Solutions, insectUp, Rada 360 Limited, THORNTSORN, Kesho Technologies Company Limited, DMA, and Addrone Digital. These start-ups will benefit from tailored mentorship, resources, and networking to scale their impact and create resilient solutions for rural and urban communities.

In his welcoming remarks, Larry Ayo, SmartLab’s Business Lab Director, highlighted the program’s significance, saying, “Our collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC equips Tanzanian entrepreneurs with the tools to develop scalable climate solutions. These innovations address pressing challenges while uplifting the communities that need them most.”

The program overview was followed by a keynote address from Gerald David, Program Lead at the Global Resilience Partnership, who stated:
“The Adaptation and Resilience ClimAccelerator demonstrates the power of partnerships in addressing climate risks. Programs like this support local innovators tackling global challenges.”

During the event, the selected start-ups showcased their solutions in agriculture and livestock, water management, forests and land use, coastal areas, and human settlements. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Edwin Bruno, CEO of Smart Africa Group. Bruno emphasized the collective effort behind the initiative: “Today’s launch reflects the commitment of all partners involved. We thank EIT Climate-KIC and Irish Aid for their trust as we build a resilient future for Tanzania.”

The program is part of the Adaptation Innovation Cluster, an initiative led by EIT Climate-KIC and funded by Irish Aid. Since 2019, EIT Climate-KIC has supported over 300 Tanzanian innovators through ideation, education and acceleration programs. The next phase of the accelerator begins in early 2025, with tailored support for the selected start-ups as they address climate challenges and drive resilience in rural communities.