A delegation of ten Ugandan startups is in Tanzania for a Regional Market Immersion Tour hosted by the Stanbic Biashara Incubator in partnership with Hindsight Ventures. The tour, which runs from 16 to 19 November 2025, forms part of a broader effort to connect East Africa entrepreneurs to regional value chains and new investment opportunities.

Today’s immersion session brought together ten Ugandan entrepreneurs and twenty five Tanzanian startups, along with representatives from the Uganda Ministry of Trade, Stanbic Bank and ecosystem partners. The strong turnout highlights the growing demand for regional learning and market access among East Africa emerging businesses.

Supported by the Uganda Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between startup innovation and access to markets across borders. For Tanzania, this collaboration reinforces the country growing reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship, trade and innovation driven growth.

The programme strengthens what experts describe as East Africa innovation ecosystem, a fast growing network of startups, investors, policy institutions and corporate enablers that are transforming economies through technology and entrepreneurship.

Through interactive exchanges, entrepreneurs from both countries explored ways to collaborate, co create products, and pursue joint ventures that address shared market needs in areas such as financial inclusion, agriculture and digital services.

Kai Mollel, Head of Stanbic Biashara Incubator at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, said,
 “This exchange is not a ceremonial visit. It is a working platform for real market understanding and partnership building. The Ugandan startups are gaining exposure to how Tanzanian enterprises operate, while our local entrepreneurs are learning from Uganda agility and innovation in digital technology.”

James Makula Mukasa, Chairperson of the Startup Technical Committee and Project Coordinator at the Uganda Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said, “This immersion demonstrates how regional collaboration strengthens the entire ecosystem. Uganda and Tanzania share a vision for entrepreneurship driven growth, and bringing our founders together creates new pathways for investment, innovation and market expansion.”

Tanzania startup ecosystem continues to expand, supported by a strong banking sector, a rising SME base and policies that encourage innovation and industrialisation. The Stanbic Biashara Incubator has played a key role in this growth by nurturing early stage enterprises and connecting them to training, finance and market access.

Nuru Lema, CEO and Founder of Yana Corporation and one of the Tanzanian startups in attendance, said, “This programme gives entrepreneurs practical visibility into what is happening across the region. The chance to meet founders from Uganda helps us understand new market needs and create partnerships that support growth on both sides.”

This partnership aligns directly with Tanzania Vision 2050, which prioritises entrepreneurship and regional integration as foundations for industrialisation and inclusive growth.

Uganda has made significant progress in building structures that support its fast growing startup sector. Through the Uganda Ministry of Trade and partners such as Hindsight Ventures, the country has introduced incubation programmes that combine mentorship, access to technology and early stage financing.

The Stanbic Biashara Incubator believes that regional collaboration is central to building Africa next generation of businesses. When startups in neighbouring countries exchange knowledge and access shared markets, they accelerate innovation and attract cross border investment.

Through its programmes, the Stanbic Biashara Incubator has supported more than five thousand entrepreneurs and six hundred SMEs in Tanzania. This regional exchange enhances that impact by helping Tanzanian startups expand their thinking beyond local markets and by giving Ugandan entrepreneurs exposure to Tanzania business environment.

The discussions, partnerships and lessons emerging from this tour are expected to translate into ongoing business collaborations, investment opportunities and policy insights that will strengthen the region innovation ecosystem beyond the four day visit.