Dar es Salaam. Ten Tanzanian enterprises showcased their ventures to global investors during the recently concluded investment forum which created an opportunity for securing funding and forge partnerships.
Dubbed Tanzania Impact Investment Forum 2025 (TIIF 2025), the event was hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, attracting over 250 participants from across the globe.
The forum held at the Johari Rotana Hotel in the city, brought together international investors, visionary entrepreneurs, policymakers, and ecosystem builders under the theme Accelerating Impact through Investment and Innovation.
Among the entrepreneurs was Dr Never Mwambela, Founder and CEO of Plant Biodefenders Ltd, based in Moshi.
Speaking during the live pitch session, Dr Mwambela said the company manufactures agricultural pesticides and recently launched a new product named Vuruga. The pesticide targets destructive pests that damage crops such as tomatoes, peppers and cotton.
She said the factory located in the Kilimanjaro Region a has already established a domestic market and the company is now looking to scale into international markets and boost its revenue base.
Dr Mwambela disclosed that the company is seeking partners to raise $500,000 (about Sh1.3 billion) in capital to expand production capacity and offer the product at more affordable prices.
“One of our biggest challenges is accessing capital and widening our market reach. We are ready to export beyond Tanzania, but financing remains a barrier. Vuruga is not only effective at eliminating pests; it also nourishes crops as it works,” she said.
Other firms that pitched for funding and partnership opportunities included Aquacom Tanzania, Kazi Yetu Limited, Niajiri Platform, and Shuleyetu, among others.
Participants had direct access to founders and investment-ready ventures, offering first-hand insights into scalable, locally developed solutions from Tanzania.
The forum also featured virtual DealRooms—interactive sessions facilitating focused one-on-one discussions between entrepreneurs and potential investors.
“These activities provide Tanzanian entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence they need to engage meaningfully with both local and international investors,” Dr Mwambela said.
Swiss Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Nicole Providoli, expressed optimism that the event would yield tangible outcomes for impact-driven investment in the country.
She highlighted the longstanding partnership between Switzerland and Tanzania, noting a shared commitment to supporting enterprises that contribute to sustainable development.
“Tanzania is home to high-potential entrepreneurs who can flourish through global partnerships. This forum serves as a bridge to those opportunities,” she said.
Ms Daniella Kwayu, National Programme Officer and Economist at the Swiss Embassy, noted that the event provided young entrepreneurs with rare networking platforms that could lead to international investment deals.
“Many up-and-coming entrepreneurs responded to the call, seizing the opportunity to present their business models and attract capital to scale their ventures,” said Ms Kwayu.
“We are proud to facilitate such platforms. With a curated programme of masterclasses, virtual deal rooms, pitch sessions and exhibitions, TIIF 2025 is crafted to connect capital with transformative ideas,” she added.
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