In an effort to improve Tanzania's education sector, Sahara Consult, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is implementing the “Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship”. On April 17th, 2024, Sahara Consult held an event to officially open a call for applications for the Fellowship program, an initiative that aims to improve access to quality and relevant learning in Tanzania's education sector by strengthening the capacity of EdTech companies developing solutions that especially target underserved communities.

The soft event, held at the Sahara Consult offices, brought together key stakeholders including EdTech companies, media representatives, universities, and government officials. The Event was graced by Eng. Simon Mwela, Director of Knowledge Management at COSTECH who expressed optimism about the program's potential to enhance education quality, create jobs, and boost national revenue.

“I am glad that this program is implemented here in Tanzania. I believe that through this program, EdTech innovators will upgrade their services and improve the quality of education. This will also create employment opportunities for our youths since EdTech companies can operate independently,” remarked Eng. Simon Mwela highlighted COSTECH's support for education-focused innovations.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jumanne Mtambalike, CEO of Sahara Consult, urged local EdTech companies to seize the opportunity presented by the Fellowship.

“EdTech Companies in Tanzania, do not shy away from this opportunity. Make sure you apply, and if you have any questions, contact us. The Sahara Consult team is here to assist you” said Mr. Mtambalike.

At the event, Sahara Consult provided insights into the Fellowship's objectives and the goal of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Additionally, the Tanzania Startup Association (TSA) shared on the startup ecosystem status.

Despite witnessing a 25.26% increase in start-ups in 2023 totaling 842, data from the Tanzania Start-up Association (TSA) revealed only 11.76% were female-owned and 6.58% were EdTech start-ups. This is insufficient considering the growing demand for innovative education solutions, as evidenced by the rising number of learners across all education ecosystems. For instance, Statica data shows in 2023 over 11.1 million students enrolled in primary school alone.

Recognizing this challenge, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship aims to bridge the gap by supporting EdTech companies in enhancing their services and driving innovation in education.

Ideal EdTech company candidates for this fellowship should be at the growth stage, legally registered and operational in Tanzania, offering solutions tailored to address educational challenges. These solutions should integrate technology and innovation. Furthermore, candidates should have a diverse and inclusive team and demonstrate a strong commitment to gender equality and safeguarding. Additionally, they must exhibit potential for scalability and impact across Tanzania.

Over the next three years, the program is expected to empower 36 EdTech companies to improve their services, elevate standards in gender equality and safeguarding within the EdTech Sector, accelerate growth by expanding to acquire at least 8,000 end users annually, elevate the quality of tailored assistance and services for Tanzanian EdTech companies as part of building an impactful EdTech ecosystem. Furthermore, Fellows will have access to equity-free funding of up to $70,000 (pegged to ongoing reporting).

EdTech companies are encouraged to participate in the initiative by applying for the Fellowship. Simply fill out and submit the form at the following link: edtech.saharaventures.com/apply

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us via email at edtech@saharaventures.com, or visit our website at edtech.saharaventures.com for further details.

Female-led EdTech companies are highly encouraged to apply