E-Salama was formed in 2001 and was officially launched in November 2002 during the first workshop in Tanzania. The second, third and fourth workshops were held in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania respectively. The E-Salama workshop is an annual event; the fifth one is currently being held in Uganda from 4th to 8th December 2006.

E-Salama is a member of Analytical Laboratory Managers Association ALMA-USA which was founded by Prof. Claude Luchessi in 1978. Currently other laboratory associations which have joined ALMA include:

• EUROALMA
• CHINALMA
• AFRICALMA