Eastern Africa English
for Business &
Entrepreneurship Hackathon

The Tanzania U.S. State Alumni Association (TUSSAA), a professional organization with more than 7,500 members nationwide, is implementing the Eastern Africa English for Business and Entrepreneurship Hackathon (EA-EBE Hackathon) in collaboration with Regional English Language Office (RELO) and the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

Apply (Program Participant) Apply (Mentor)

14East Africa
countries

500MOOC
participants

90Finalists
(Arusha)

Program schedule

The program will begin on March 24, 2026, with a Virtual Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) engaging 500 participants, including 45 participants from the United Republic of Tanzania and 35 participants each from the following 13 East Africa countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Chad, and the Central African Republic.

Following the MOOC, 90 finalist participants will be selected to attend a three-day in-person Hackathon and Pitch Event in Arusha, Tanzania, with arrival on May 20, 2026, in-person sessions conducted from May 21–23, 2026, and departure on May 24, 2026.

The awarding of seed funds to winning teams to implement cross-border collaborations will be completed before June 30, 2026. Post-award mentorship and seed-funded project implementation will take place from May 30 to June 30, 2026.

Key deadlines

Call Opening

February 19, 2026

Call Closing

March 14, 2026

Apply Now

In-Person Hackathon & Pitch Event

May 20-24, 2026 (arrival May 20; Hackathon & Pitch May 21–23; departure May 24).

Contact

Tanzania U.S State Alumni Association

5 Shaban Robert Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

+255714615 162

www.E4BEHackathon.tussaa.or.tz

info@tussaa.or.tz

Purpose

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The program aims to strengthen business English proficiency, entrepreneurial communication skills, and cross-border collaboration among U.S. Government–sponsored English language program alumni who are early-career professionals across 14 East Africa countries. The program provides a structured innovation pipeline that guides participants from online learning through team-based solution development and ultimately to the refinement and pitching of viable, market-driven business ideas.

Objectives

Core Objectives

Enhance Business English Competencies: Improve participants’ ability to communicate effectively in professional, entrepreneurial, and innovation-driven environments.
Build Entrepreneurial Skills: Equip participants with the language, tools, and frameworks needed to conceptualize, articulate, and present viable business solutions.
Foster Regional Collaboration: Establish 30 cross-border teams that co-create solutions addressing shared economic and social challenges across East and Central Africa.
Strengthen Alumni Networks: Activate and connect alumni of U.S. Government–sponsored English language and exchange programs to reinforce sustained, pro-U.S. professional engagement.
Support Innovation and Job Creation: Enable finalist teams to refine high-impact business ideas and compete for seed funding to pilot or scale their ventures.
Promote U.S.–Africa Enterprise Development: Highlight American leadership in English language education, entrepreneurship, and innovation through cross-border collaboration and market-driven solutions.

Program Journey

6 stages

1

MOOC Phase

Multi-week Virtual MOOC: business English & entrepreneurial communication. Online modules, forums, assignments.

2

Team Formation

30 cross-border teams (3 countries) develop problem statements & pitch drafts.

3

Mentorship

Continuous guidance by alumni professionals (TUSSAA, TELTA, ZANELTA, ZAUSSA).

4

Finalist selection

30 high-performing teams selected based on project quality & innovation.

5

In-Person Hackathon

Arusha, Tanzania · May 20-24, 2026. Pitch event & judging.

6

Seed funding & alumni

Winning teams implement cross-border ventures with continued mentorship.

View full journey details

1. MOOC Phase (English for Business and Entrepreneurs): Participants will engage in a multi-week Virtual Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) designed to strengthen business English and entrepreneurial communication skills. Activities: online learning modules, facilitated discussion forums, assignments, foundational training.

2. Team Formation and Virtual Project Development: During MOOC, participants form cross-border teams (max three from three countries) – 30 teams. Activities: weekly facilitated virtual sessions, development of problem statements, solution concepts, draft pitch materials.

3. Mentorship Support (Cross-Cutting): Continuous mentorship by experienced professionals from Alumni Associations from 14 countries, TUSSAA, TELTA, ZANELTA, ZAUSSA. Guidance on idea development, pitching, teamwork.

4. Finalist Selection: Identification of 30 high-performing teams based on project quality, communication competence, innovation potential.

5. Three-Day In-Person Hackathon and Pitch Event (Arusha, Tanzania): May 20-24, 2026 (arrival May 20, sessions May 21–23, departure May 24).

6. Post-Hackathon Alumni Engagement (winning teams only): Winning teams receive seed funding and continued support to implement projects, sustain cross-border collaboration. Awarding completed before June 30, 2026. Post-award mentorship & MEL: May 30–June 30, 2026.

Core Activities, Dates & Deadlines

Feb 19Call Opening – applications open

Mar 14Call Closing – deadline

Mar 24500 MOOC participants announced

Mar 30MOOC begins (through May 9)

Apr 24Project concepts due (finalist selection)

May 190 finalists announced (Arusha)

May 20-24In-Person Hackathon Arusha

June 30Seed funding & mentorship concludes

MOOC: Mar 30 – May 9 Finalist selection: Apr 25-30

Eligibility Criteria

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS (BENEFICIARIES)

To be eligible for participation in the program, applicants must meet all of the following selection criteria:

Applicants must be young professionals aged 20 – 30 and citizens of one of the following 14 East Africa countries: Tanzania (host country), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Chad, or the Central African Republic.
Be an alumnus or beneficiary of a U.S. Government–sponsored program, such as YES, PAYLP, OPEN, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), YALI, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (MWF), Fullbright Program, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the English Access Micro-scholarship Program, or other U.S. Government–supported English language or exchange programs.
Be an early-career professional with an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, business development, or community-driven problem-solving.
Applicants must apply as individuals with a proposed project to promote cross-border engagement, and later on each applicant will be matched to team member from not more than two other East Africa countries to create a team beyond the applicant’s home country. Cross-border partners do not need to be formally confirmed at the time of application.
The proposed project must promote cross-border engagement (joint planning, market linkages, or complementary implementation roles) among the 14 East Africa countries and focus on one or more of the following sectors: agriculture, agribusiness, service sector and ICT.
Project ideas should promote U.S.–Africa enterprise development, including American leadership in English language education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and business development.
Participants must demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency and an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, or community-driven problem-solving.
Participants must be willing to provide photo-sharing consent and be available to travel to and participate in the in-person sessions in Arusha, Tanzania, from May 20-24, 2026.
Participants must demonstrate a strong commitment to full participation in the virtual MOOC sessions, in-person training, post-training mentorship activities, and any required follow-up sessions.

Apply as Participant

MENTORS AND PROGRAM CONTRIBUTORS

To be eligible to serve as a mentor or program contributor, individuals must meet at least all of the following criteria:

Mentors Applicants should be aged from 25 to 35+ and be an alumnus or alumna of a U.S. Government–sponsored exchange program from any of the 14 East Africa countries, including but not limited to the YALI, Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF), the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), Fullbright Program, or International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) or be an active member of recognized alumni associations such as TUSSAA or ZAUSSA.
Be an active member of a national English language professional associations in 14 East Africa countries such as TELTA or ZANELTA, with demonstrated experience in English language teaching, business or professional communication, workforce readiness, or employability skills development.
Be an educator, entrepreneur, innovator, or professional with demonstrated expertise in business development, enterprise growth, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, or entrepreneurial communication and leadership development, and a demonstrated interest in mentoring early-career professionals or youth-led ventures.
Demonstrate proven experience in business or enterprise development.
Demonstrate strong communication, facilitation, and coaching skills.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset with practical experience in innovation or venture development.
Demonstrate working knowledge of prototyping, product development, or early-stage venture design.

Priority will be given to candidates who meet multiple criteria above and who demonstrate strong alignment with the program’s objectives on youth entrepreneurship, innovation, cross-border collaboration, and workforce readiness.

In addition to participating in the finalist selection process, mentors will:

Guide participants on project and idea development
Support English-for-entrepreneurship communication skills
Assist with pitch development and refinement.

Apply as Mentor

How to Submit an Application

Google Forms

All interested applicants are invited to submit their applications through the online application form available on the following links:

Program Participant link

https://forms.gle/gUqzgADnD4dpAvhS9