Chennai: IIT Madras Zanzibar, in partnership with IITM Global, hosted the first-ever Zanzibar Innovation Day on October 4, 2025, creating a platform to unite Africa's entrepreneurial drive with India's deep-tech research and innovation ecosystem.

The event, held at the Zanzibar campus, showcased 11 transformative startups from India and Tanzania across sectors including space technology, artificial intelligence, clean water, inclusive mobility, digital finance, and STEM education. It aimed to foster cross-continental collaboration and accelerate sustainable, scalable solutions to regional and global challenges.

Chief Guest Mr. Khamis Abdulla Said, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Zanzibar, inaugurated the IITM Global Center, a hub for innovation and impact in Zanzibar. The day-long programme featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, and a Startup Pitch Arena, connecting startups with investors and venture funds.

Several key partnerships were formalized, including six MoUs with startups such as Tousome, Asili Zanzibar, Touchwood, GalaxEye, Yali Mobility, and Smart Lab. IIT Madras-incubated space tech startup GalaxEye announced a USD 100,000 investment over five years to establish a Satellite and AI Research Lab at IITM Zanzibar.

Prof. Preeti Aghalayam, Director-in-Charge, IITM Zanzibar, highlighted that the event helped identify clear pathways to build a sustainable start-up ecosystem, while IITM Global CEO Thirumalai Madhavnarayan called it a “defining milestone” for taking India's research and innovation ecosystem global.

The event connected India's deep-tech expertise with Africa's emerging markets, promoting entrepreneurship, skill development, and regional growth. Startups demonstrated innovations from satellite-based agriculture solutions to AI-driven analytics and digital inclusion platforms, signaling the potential of India-Africa collaborations in shaping Africa's development story.