SiliconZanzibar
List Your Startup

Africa's Rising Tech Island · Est. 2022

Where the Indian Ocean
meets Innovation

Silicon Zanzibar maps the startups, hubs, investors and community builders turning the Spice Island into East Africa's most compelling tech destination.

20+ (estimate)

Startups

6+ (verified)

Hubs & Spaces

5+ (verified)

Investors

5+ (verified, recurring)

Events

6-8 (verified)

Universities

Not reliably sourced — figure removed pending data

Tech Jobs

Why Zanzibar

The Spice Island is
open for business

A $1 billion digital city. A world-first blockchain sandbox. A ten-year tax holiday. Zanzibar is crafting the most ambitious innovation agenda in East Africa — and the ecosystem is rising to meet it.

Investor Incentives
◆

10-Year Tax Holiday

Zero corporate tax for qualifying tech companies.

◈

Blockchain Sandbox

World-first national sandbox for fintech, identity & cert apps.

◉

$1B Digital City

Dunia Cyber City on Fumba Peninsula — launching 2026.

◐

IIT Madras Campus

World-class engineering education producing local talent.

◑

$100K Entry Capital

Minimum investment threshold reduced from $300K.

◒

Indian Ocean Gateway

Connecting East Africa, Middle East & Asia Pacific.

Active Sectors

Innovation across
the whole economy

Full ecosystem
💳Fintech12🛒E-commerce8🏖️Tourism Tech10📚EdTech6🏥HealthTech5⛓️Blockchain7🌿GreenTech4🤖AI & Data6
Key Players

Who's building
the future here

View all 28+
Association

Zanzibar Startup Association (ZSA)

Member-based organization bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, enablers and policymakers to grow Zanzibar's startup ecosystem.

Zanzibar City· est. 2022
Digital Services
Investor

Coprosperity Fund

Investment fund founded in 2024 focused on Zanzibar and East Africa, providing equity investment and hands-on mentoring to early-stage startups.

Zanzibar City· est. 2024
FintechDigital Services
University

State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)

Zanzibar's leading public university, established by Act No. 8 of 1999 and operational since September 2001. Home to a Computer Centre and School of Natural and Social Sciences driving ICT education and research. Absorbed the former Zanzibar Institute of Financial Administration (ZIFA) via a 2016 amendment.

Tunguu, Zanzibar· est. 1999 (operational 2001)
Digital ServicesAI & Data
Hub

Zanzibar Technology Business Incubator (ZTBI)

Government-backed incubation facility supporting technology startups with workspace, mentoring, and access to government innovation programs.

Zanzibar City
Digital ServicesFintech
Accelerator

Aura Space Zanzibar

Innovation and acceleration hub providing workspace, mentoring, investment access and community to entrepreneurs building scalable businesses.

Stone Town, Zanzibar
Digital ServicesFintech
Hub

Dunia Cyber City

Proposed 'Digital Free Zone' special economic zone on a 71-hectare site near Fumba Peninsula, led by Mauritius-based OurWorld in a joint venture with state agency ZICTIA (authorized November 2024, 30-year land concession). Land currently valued at roughly $70M, with a targeted commercial value of $1B within two years. As of early 2026, about 100 digital residents and 30 businesses have registered. Status: early-stage / under development, not yet fully launched.

Fumba Peninsula, Zanzibar· est. Proposed 2024; targeted 2026+
Digital ServicesAI & Data
Upcoming Events

Gather, build,
connect

All events
SummitPaid

Zanzibar Tech & Investment Summit 2025

Jul 3, 2025 — Jul 5, 2025
The Pavilion, Fumba Town

The flagship annual gathering of Zanzibar's tech and startup ecosystem, organized by Lepole Dides. Second edition (first held August 2024). Brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers for keynotes, panels, pitches, and networking. Sponsors include Oaksvale Ventures, Aura Space Zanzibar, Manji Tours, and Fraqvest.

By Lepole Dides

CompetitionFree to Apply

Zanzibar Business Plan Competition 2026

Jan 15, 2026 — Mar 15, 2026
Mercury's / Park Hyatt Stone Town, Zanzibar

Annual competition run by the Coprosperity Fund (with UNCDF) for early-stage startups to pitch business ideas and win funding ($3,000/$1,500/$500 prizes) plus hands-on mentorship. Launched at Mercury's, Stone Town; awards ceremony at Park Hyatt Stone Town.

By Coprosperity Fund

MeetupFree

Silicon Zanzibar Monthly Meetup [UNVERIFIED]

Jul 10, 2026
Aura Space Zanzibar

[Unverified — no independent confirmation found of a recurring event under this exact name; verify before publishing.] Monthly informal gathering for the tech community in Zanzibar. Features short talks, project demos, and networking over drinks. All skill levels welcome.

By ZSA Community

Innovation Hubs

Find your workspace
in Zanzibar

All hubs

Zanzibar Technology Business Incubator (ZTBI)

Zanzibar City

Government-backed incubator providing workspace, mentoring, funding access, and business support services to technology startups at the heart of the Silicon Zanzibar initiative.

Office SpaceMentoringBusiness Registration Support

Aura Space Zanzibar

Stone Town

Modern co-working and acceleration hub in the heart of Stone Town. Provides workspace, mentoring, investor access and community events for entrepreneurs building the future.

Co-workingPrivate OfficesAcceleration Program

Dunia Cyber City

Fumba Peninsula

Proposed digital-city / Digital Free Zone project led by OurWorld and state agency ZICTIA. Land currently valued at ~$70M with a targeted commercial value of $1B within two years; as of early 2026, ~100 digital residents and 30 businesses have registered. Status: early-stage / under development, not yet fully launched.

Class-A Office Space (planned)Data Centers (planned)R&D Labs (planned)
✦
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