Women's health innovation, Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania's femtech and women's health innovation ecosystem is anchored by maternal health, where the government-backed m-mama emergency transport system has gone national and cut maternal mortality by 38% in served areas. A cluster of menstrual health social enterprises (WomenChoice, Kasole Secrets, Femme International) and homegrown medical devices such as Afya Lead's Mkanda Salama address period poverty and postpartum hemorrhage. Digital health infrastructure (DHIS2, Afya-Tek) and a maturing startup policy environment, plus a national startup policy completed in 2025, are broadening the base, though dedicated femtech venture funding remains thin and largely grant-driven.
Reduction in maternal mortality where m-mama emergency transport is rolled out vodafone.com
m-mama emergency maternal transport journeys in Tanzania since 2016 vodafone.com
Target modern contraceptive prevalence rate for all women (One Plan III) fp2030.org
Women and girls with no choice but to use cloth rags to manage menstruation dukeunicef.org
Latest major news
Maternal health milestones and menstrual health scale-ups dominate recent headlines.
Policy & strategy
Reproductive health sits inside national health plans, while a new startup policy aims to formalize the innovation sector.
Latest ecosystem moves
Hubs, accelerators and cross-border platforms are widening access to women's health innovation.
Notable funding rounds
Funding is largely grant and impact-capital driven; large venture rounds are regional rather than Tanzania-only.
Key players & hubs
A mix of maternal health programs, menstrual health enterprises, device makers and innovation hubs.
Active investors
Impact funds, DFIs and philanthropic accelerators supply most women's health capital touching Tanzania.
White papers & reports
Peer-reviewed studies and strategy documents underpin the ecosystem.
Latest major news
Policy & strategy
Latest ecosystem moves
Notable funding rounds
Disclosed round size (USD)
Rounds by type
Key players & hubs
Ecosystem by organisation type
National emergency maternal and newborn transport system co-created with the government; 150,000+ journeys, 38% maternal mortality reduction. vodafone.com
Mobile micro health-insurance via USSD from ~USD 1/month; founded by Lilian Makoi; won Seedstars Dar es Salaam. techcabal.com
Social enterprise making reusable Salama menstrual pads; 1M+ pads distributed to 20,000+ schoolgirls; led by Lucy Achieng' Odiwa. graymatterscap.com
Dar-based maker of bamboo-fiber Glory sanitary pads for schoolgirls; founded by Hyasintha Ntuyeko; 100,000+ pads sold. vc4a.com
Maker of Mkanda Salama, a locally made device to arrest postpartum hemorrhage; recognized at the Mkapa Legacy Summit. afyalead.co.tz
Founded by Flora Njelekela; Hedhi Cup was the first menstrual cup licensed in Tanzania (October 2018). thecitizen.co.tz
Runs the Twaweza menstrual and reproductive health program in Tanzania; distributes reusable products and education kits. femmeinternational.org
Uses AI to analyze samples for early detection of cervical cancer cells. verivafrica.com
Dar-based lead of Afya-Tek, the first Tanzanian digital health program linking public and private primary care for maternal and child health. link.springer.com
Deployed the Oky period-tracking app and runs the Jali Project using animation to shift menstruation attitudes. dukeunicef.org
First innovation space in Tanzania under COSTECH; supports 10,000+ youth and 20+ innovation spaces. bunihub.or.tz
Innovation ecosystem builder and accelerator supporting health, fintech and agritech startups in Tanzania. medium.com
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology; coordinates the national innovation ecosystem and the planned Tanzania Ventures Lab. therespondents.co.tz
Active investors
Active investors by headquarters
White papers & reports
Sources and references
Every figure and claim above links back to a public source. 15 references, updated 2026-08.