Tanzania has a population of 55.5 million people and the country has sustained high economic growth, averaging around 6% a year for the last decade, positioning it to achieve middle-income country status in the coming years. According to the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics, GDP growth in 2019 was 5.8% up from 5.4% in 2018. 

SMEs have been listed as one of the key pillars in achieving Tanzania’s Development Vision of 2025 which details the country’s long-term vision. It is estimated that Tanzania’s SME sector consists of more than 3 million enterprises which contribute to 27% of overall GDP. The largest proportion of enterprises are in the agricultural sector, and more than half are owned by women. There are, however, some key constraints to SME development. This includes unfavorable legal and regulatory frameworks, undeveloped infrastructure, poor business development services, limited access to financing, and an ineffective and poorly coordinated institutional support framework. As entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a career option in Tanzania, it will be vital that the government addresses these market constraints.

CEED entered Tanzania in 2017 with a grant from the USDA Food for Progress program, the center initially served SMEs in the agribuiness sector. CEED has a strong history working with agribusinesses providing the knowledge and support that help generate long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability for SMEs throughout the value chain. In partnership with the Argidius Foundation, the center has grown it’s work more entrepreneurs, including offering services in Uganda and Kenya.  Since the first center opened in Dar Es Salaam, CEED has expanded to have membership chapters in three other cities. The center has 37 active members and another 92 enterprises and entrepreneurs who regularly engage with the community and programming. Supporting women entrepreneurs has been a major focus and 59% of the enterprises with CEED membership are women-led.