A few weeks ago, we had the chance to catch up with Elias Elisante, founder of Smart Darasa, one of the standout participants from the 2023 edition of Startup Africa Roadtrip in Kigali, Rwanda.
Smart Darasa is a Tanzanian EdTech startup committed to making quality education accessible through immersive, offline-first digital learning tools, especially for schools in areas with limited connectivity. During our chat, Elias gave us a glimpse into the Tanzanian startup ecosystem, shared how his journey has evolved since the bootcamp, and offered some advice for founders thinking about applying to the next edition of our program, which will take place in Dar es Salaam from August 11 to 15, 2025.
Before we get into the experience itself, Elias gave us a powerful snapshot of the Tanzanian startup ecosystem:
“Tanzania’s startup ecosystem is undergoing a quiet revolution: resilient, impact-oriented, and maturing steadily. Unlike the unicorn-chasing environments found in other regions, Tanzanian startups often reflect the traits of camel startups, ventures built for endurance in resource-constrained settings, alongside them, a rising wave of zebra startups, purpose-driven ventures that seek to balance profitability with social value, is transforming the landscape.”
In other words, Tanzanian founders aren’t just chasing hype. They’re solving real problems in real communities with models built for the long game.
But it’s not always easy. Capital remains hard to access, and global investors often overlook the slower, impact-driven growth that many Tanzanian ventures embrace. Still, things are changing: local investor engagement is growing, policy is improving, and new hubs like Silicon Dar are rising.
When we asked what Tanzanian startups need most to scale, Elias was clear: access to patient capital, strategic mentorship, and the kind of exposure that builds bridges beyond borders.
In his words, “That’s exactly what programs like Next Generation Africa provide. It’s not just a bootcamp, it’s a doorway to international networks, investors, and a new way of thinking.”
Elias joined us in Kigali as the only Tanzanian founder and described the experience as eye-opening from the very start. “I came in prepared to learn, unlearn, and relearn,” he told us, pointing to one phrase in particular that stayed with him: Think Glocal. That idea of shaping a solution that is locally relevant but globally competitive helped him rethink how Smart Darasa could evolve, not just as a product, but as a platform for impact at scale.
Through workshops, pitch practice, and sessions with both local and international mentors, Elias walked away with key lessons that reshaped Smart Darasa’s path forward: “We had to rethink our go-to-market strategy and the way we approach strategic partnerships. More importantly, we began to expand our vision—from simply building a platform to shaping an entire ecosystem.”
And the results speak for themselves. In June 2024, Smart Darasa launched a new version of its platform with enhanced AR features, new mobile apps, and a free offline learning tool for schools without reliable internet. Even bigger, the startup merged with Smartcore to form Ekima Company Ltd, now reaching over 500,000 students and teachers in 297 schools across Tanzania.
“The bootcamp really sharpened our strategy,” Elias told us, “and helped us move from building a product to building a movement for inclusive education.”
To any founder thinking of applying to the 2025 edition of Next Generation Africa, Elias has just one message: “Don’t wait for perfect. If you’re solving a real problem and open to learning, this experience can shift everything: your mindset, your mission, and your momentum.”
Our conversation with Elias was a reminder of the kind of impact that happens when local innovation meets the right support. From Dar es Salaam to Kigali and beyond, Smart Darasa’s journey is one we’ll be following closely and proudly.