In much of the Western world, digital infrastructure is a given, seamlessly integrated into everyday life. But in many parts of Africa, it’s still evolving, with entire industries just beginning to embrace digital transformation.
At Tantel, we understand that the opportunity in these emerging markets lies not just in capital investment but in leveraging technology to drive tangible change. This has always been at the core of how we operate across all sectors.
With over 15 years of experience in technology investing across public and private markets, we bring a tech-first mindset to every business we support. Though our focus in Africa, particularly Tanzania, has shifted from pure tech startups to traditional industries, our commitment to leveraging technology has only intensified.
From Tech Startups to Tech-Enabled Traditional Businesses
When we first entered the Tanzanian market, we quickly recognized that the local startup ecosystem lacked the scale and maturity we were used to in the U.S. or Europe. Rather than fight for limited opportunities in early-stage tech, we saw a far bigger opening: applying technology to traditional, often overlooked sectors like agriculture, mining, and logistics. These businesses had solid foundations but were starved of tech infrastructure. That’s where we come in.
An In-House Tech Powerhouse
We built an internal tech team with global credentials, including engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, and branding experts who understand how to operationalize innovation. From ex-Google and Facebook talent to Capture the Flag veterans, our team develops solutions to address each company’s specific pain points. This approach works because it equips traditional companies with modern capabilities, helping them run better, make decisions faster, and reach more customers.
Digital Transformation in Action
Since day one, we’ve used tech to upgrade traditional industries. Here’s a quick look at how that plays out across the sectors we work in.
Aviation
One of our aviation companies initially operated entirely offline. As soon as we invested, we built a custom end-to-end digital system that handles bookings, scheduling, and pricing analytics, then layered in a CRM, AI tools, and a full analytics suite. Today, data powers every decision, helping avoid unprofitable flights and maximize margins.
Healthcare
What started as a small pharmacy has now grown into a national telemedicine player. We licensed a U.S.-Israeli telehealth platform and are deploying devices across pharmacies and remote areas. These devices connect patients with remote doctors, while medicines are delivered locally. Meanwhile, our backend systems manage procurement, supplier relationships, inventory, and pricing, achievements that would not have been possible without digitization.
Agriculture
Farmers often face poor yields and high post-harvest losses. We stepped in with farm-specific tech: drone spraying, AI tractors, data tools, and modern machinery. Instead of charging upfront, we partner on performance, getting paid through crop output. Our agronomists assess each farm, match the right tools, and deliver fast, measurable impact.
Mining
In the mining sector, it’s less about software, more about machines. We bring in high-grade equipment from Asia and Europe, then partner with artisanal miners to boost gold output. We own the machines, they run them—everyone wins more when production goes up. With data-sharing tools layered in, we track performance and keep operations efficient.
Oil & Gas
Oil and gas trading is complex, so we built deep-tech systems to handle it. Our tools track everything—costs, trading flows, payments, and customer accounts. It’s all data-driven, fully traceable, and tightly controlled, helping us cut risk and protect margins.
Banking
Banking in Tanzania is still behind—but we’re integrating modern core banking systems, AI-powered customer tools, and better UX/UI. The result: lower operational costs, more transparency, and digital banking that actually works, unlocking credit access, cutting friction, and raising the bar across the board.
Tantel Technologies
This is our in-house innovation engine, building AI tools, security platforms, fintech solutions, and more. We started by powering our own companies, but now we’re also supporting other African businesses, turning manual processes into smarter, faster systems. One standout project: a SuperApp we’re co-developing with Vodacom, Tanzania’s largest telecom provider. It includes ride-hailing, food delivery, and more, with added layers of optimization, regional adaptation, and advanced tech behind every feature.
One Playbook, Many Sectors
Our playbook is consistent: leverage technology tailored to each business, build systems that boost efficiency, and transform traditional companies into high-performing, tech-powered enterprises. By making operations, finances, and strategy smarter, we create an edge in industries where digital is still catching up.
Africa’s next wave of growth will be defined by how well its core sectors adopt digital infrastructure. At Tantel, we’re making sure they’re ready. For us, digital transformation isn’t the goal, it’s the advantage.
