RITA tasked to expand digital services for all Tanzanians

DODOMA: THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Mr Eliakim Maswi, has tasked the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) to continue investing in modern digital systems, to extend its services to more Tanzanians nationwide.

Mr Maswi made the call during the national celebration of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day in Africa, held in Dodoma over the weekend.

“Despite the significant investments already made in technology, I urge RITA to invest even further to simplify access to more services for citizens,” he said.

This year’s theme, ‘Civil Registration is the Foundation of Digital Public Infrastructure and Legal Identity Systems in Africa’, underscores the critical role of technology in modern governance.

Mr Maswi said RITA plays critical role in digital registration of vital events, noting its integration potential with other national systems such as the National Identification Authority (NIDA), health and education sectors.

Since the launch of the Digital CRVS System in 2022, over 3 million records have been digitised, improving the safety and speedy access to vital information.

These achievements are attributed to substantial investments in ICT infrastructure, capacity building for public servants and ongoing awareness campaigns via media and social platforms.

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“Registration of vital events is a national heritage, a mark of dignity for every citizen and a driver of national development,” Mr Maswi said.

“Without accurate data, we cannot effectively plan, implement development strategies, or address our challenges,” he added.

He called on local government authorities, the private sector, civil society and development partners to collaborate with RITA in ensuring that every life event, birth, marriage, divorce, death, or adoption is recorded accurately and securely.

During the event, RITA Chief Executive Officer Mr Frank Kanyusi noted that this year marks the eighth anniversary of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, launched in 2018 to raise awareness and accelerate the registration of vital events.

“RITA continues to implement various strategies to speed up registration, with digital systems at the core of our efforts,” Mr Kanyusi said.

He also explained about the eRITA system, which allows citizens to apply for services online and collect certificates from the nearest district office without visiting RITA headquarters, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

The celebrations underlined the vital role of ICT in building a robust, reliable and timely civil registration system that serves every Tanzanian.