Hungary boosts Tanzania’s digital innovation efforts
MeOut Group president, Attila Sándor (second left) and SmartLab Limited chief executive officer, Edwin Bruno (second right) sign documents during a function to sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperating in digital innovation. PHOTO | COURTESY
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s digital innovation efforts yesterday received a boost following the signing of agreements with Hungary to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Two memoranda of understanding were signed between the Budapest-based international organisation MeOut Group and two Tanzanian partners to promote collaboration in innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation.
The first agreement involved SmartLab Limited, a Tanzanian innovation platform, and MeOut Group. It seeks to cooperate on digital innovation, entrepreneurship and AI across Africa and Europe.
The second was signed with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (TCCIA) to advance innovation initiatives.
Both signings were witnessed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Hungary’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Péter Szijjártó, who visited Tanzania yesterday.
SmartLab Limited chief executive officer, Mr Edwin Bruno, said the partnership marked “a new milestone in the deepening of EU–AU innovation partnerships,” adding that SmartLab had been positioned as “the key Tanzanian partner under the EU–AU Africa Collaborations.”
“This partnership is a gateway for Tanzania to play a central role in global digital transformation. We are committed to ensuring our youth, women, and SMEs are at the forefront of AI and innovation opportunities,” he said.
Through the agreement, SmartLab and MeOut will work together to establish Living Labs in Tanzania to test AI-driven solutions for agriculture, climate resilience and digital inclusion.
They will also design training programmes for young people, women and SMEs to build capacity in AI, digital skills and entrepreneurship, while promoting knowledge transfer between European innovators and Tanzanian stakeholders to bridge research and market opportunities.
“Together, MeOut and SmartLab will create pathways for inclusive digital growth ensuring that farmers, youth, and women entrepreneurs benefit directly from cutting-edge AI and digital tools,” said MeOut Group president, Mr Attila Sándor.
Founded in 2018, SmartLab is a Tanzanian innovation hub and entrepreneurship support organisation that specialises in accelerators, talent development, digital transformation and climate innovation.
It has worked with corporates, governments and development agencies to scale start-ups and develop Africa’s future workforce. The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which seeks to advance a knowledge-driven economy in which digital innovation fuels growth.
It is also in line with the Digital Tanzania Project, which aims to expand broadband access, digital public services and emerging technology adoption.
UNESCO’s 2025 AI Readiness Report identifies Tanzania as a nation well placed to implement responsible and inclusive AI innovation.
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