CLIMATE EXPO PUTS TANZANIA’S INNOVATORS IN SPOTLIGHT

In collaboration with SmartLab, the Climate Innovation Expo in Dar es Salaam convened Tanzania’s leading climate innovators, investors, and partners to showcase locally driven solutions and unlock pathways for climate financing and growth.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – April 22, 2026 — Tanzania’s climate innovation ecosystem took a decisive step forward as the Climate Innovation Expo convened innovators, investors, and development partners in Dar es Salaam, creating a platform that moved beyond dialogue into tangible opportunity. Held in collaboration with SmartLab, the Expo positioned locally developed solutions at the centre of efforts to address climate challenges while unlocking pathways for growth and financing.

Bringing together over 180 attendees, the Expo showcased 26 startups and youth-led organisations presenting practical solutions across climate-smart agriculture, clean energy, circular economy, water management, and the blue economy. The innovations reflected a maturing ecosystem—one that is not only ideating but actively building scalable responses to real-world environmental and economic challenges.

More than a showcase, the Expo enabled direct engagement between founders and potential investors, addressing one of the sector’s most persistent barriers: access to climate finance. By facilitating these interactions, the platform shifted the narrative from visibility to viability, allowing startups to explore partnerships that can accelerate their growth and expand their impact.

“The Climate Innovation Expo created a space for startups to directly engage with investors and partners, moving beyond visibility to real conversations around growth and scale,” said Elizabeth Richard, Community Manager at SmartLab. “Bringing the right people into the room is a critical step in unlocking opportunities for these ventures.”

 

Echoing this, Inés Mas de la Peña, Programme Manager at Climate KIC, noted that Tanzania’s innovators are increasingly ready to deliver impactful solutions. She emphasised that the ideas showcased are practical, tested, and rooted in community realities—demonstrating the country’s growing capacity to drive climate resilience through local innovation.

Adding to this, Henriette de Wit, Communications Lead at Climate KIC, highlighted the importance of strong participation and visibility in strengthening the ecosystem. She noted that the turnout at the Expo signals growing momentum around climate innovation in Tanzania and the need to connect local solutions to global opportunities.

A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion on closing the climate finance gap and empowering emerging innovators. The session brought together experts including Happy Itros of ActionAid, Dr. Gerald Kafuku of COSTECH, Ramla Msuya of CRDB Bank, and Shamim Wasii Nyanda of Hatch Blue. The panel underscored the need for stronger alignment between startups, financial institutions, and development partners to unlock funding and enable scale.

The discussions reinforced a clear message: innovation alone is not enough. For climate solutions to succeed, they must be supported by systems that enable access to finance, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. By convening these stakeholders in one space, the Climate Innovation Expo demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable development.

As Tanzania continues to navigate the realities of climate change, platforms such as the Climate Innovation Expo are playing a critical role in shaping the future. By amplifying local innovation and fostering meaningful collaboration, the event signals a growing shift toward a more resilient, inclusive, and solution-driven economy—one built on ideas that are ready to scale and deliver impact.