Startups in Zanzibar are set to benefit from new funding and mentorship opportunities through the Zanzibar Business Plan Competition, an initiative supported by the Coprosperity Fund.
The competition officially opened on January 15 and will run until March 15, 2026, offering local entrepreneurs a platform to pitch innovative business ideas and access financial backing.
💡 What the Competition Offers
The initiative aims to:
Provide seed funding to promising startups
Offer business development support and mentorship
Strengthen entrepreneurial capacity in Zanzibar
Promote sustainable economic growth
The program is spearheaded by the Coprosperity Fund, with Managing Partner Antony Adolf and Marketing and Communications Manager Linda Mkwawa involved in promoting the initiative.
🌍 Why It Matters for Zanzibar
Zanzibar has been positioning itself as a growing hub for:
Tourism innovation
Blue economy ventures
Agribusiness and food processing
Digital entrepreneurship
Competitions like this help address common startup challenges, including:
Limited access to capital
Gaps in technical business skills
Market entry barriers
By supporting early-stage businesses, the initiative could help stimulate job creation and expand the islands’ private sector contribution to the economy.
📈 Growing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Zanzibar, part of the United Republic of Tanzania, has in recent years seen increased attention toward youth entrepreneurship and SME development.
With structured competitions and funding programs, stakeholders aim to:
Formalize more small businesses
Improve business survival rates
Attract regional and international investors
🗓️ Key Dates
Competition Opened: January 15, 2026
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit well-developed, scalable business plans aligned with Zanzibar’s economic priorities.
