‘Tackle cyber crime threats’

ARUSHA: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango had directed all public institutions to engage the e-Government Authority (e-GA) at every stage of ICT system development and implementation to protect citizens’ data and mitigate cyber threats.

Speaking at the 5th eGovernment Annual Conference in Arusha on Tuesday, Dr Mpango emphasised the importance of interoperability between ICT systems in public institutions noting that it facilitates efficiency and enhances service delivery.

“I am satisfied with eGA’s efforts in implementing this directive by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to make these systems integrated and exchange information,” said Dr Mpango at the conference under the theme: ‘e-Government Initiatives and Innovations for Efficient Public Service Delivery.’

The Vice-President commended the e-GA for successfully establishing digital platforms that enhance efficiency in public service delivery.

“I applaud the decision to utilise our local experts to formulate these platforms, as this not only saves costs but also ensures security against cyber threats.

Surely, we have home-grown talents,” Dr Mpango stated.

He assured that the government will continue to empower ICT professionals and other key sectors, commending the e-GA for introducing the Government Enterprise Service Bus (GovESB), which helps in integrating digital systems for public institutions to facilitate services.

Moreover, Dr Mpango urged all regions that are yet to adopt the e-Office system do so by June 30, this year.

Earlier, when welcoming the Vice-President, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), George Simbachawene, said the e-GA has made great strides in building digital platforms that have simplified provision of public services and driven the development.

Mr Simbachawene, among others, cited introduction of the e-Office as a major milestone in saving costs in government’s operations.

The e-GA Director General, Eng Benedict Ndomba said the authority was established to coordinate and oversee e-Government initiatives, gaining more power through the 2019 e-Government Act.

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He outlined that e-GA operates on key pillars, including legal frameworks, regulations and ICT infrastructure.

He also mentioned some achievements, including the development of smart ICT systems, financial platforms such as the e-Government Payment Gateway (e-GPG) and strengthening local expertise in ICT within government institutions.

Regarding cybersecurity, Eng Ndomba noted that e-GA is actively building capacity to address emerging threats and ensure the resilience of government systems.

“To enhance efficiency, e-GA prepares guidelines for implementing e-Government projects,” he explained.

He also highlighted the successful implementation of the GovESB, which facilitates seamless communication between government systems.

A key example is the integration of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) system with various health centres.

He said during the threeday conference which started yesterday, 18 topics would be presented, focusing on strategies to advance e-Government initiatives, which are expected to drive transformation across all sectors.

The Zanzibar’s e-Government Chief Executive Officer, Mr Said Said, acknowledged the strong partnership between Zanzibar’s e-Government and Tanzania’s e-Government authority.

“We appreciate the close collaboration between the two governments in advancing e-Government initiatives. This partnership is a crucial pillar in our national development,” he said.

However, he pointed out that ICT infrastructure remains a major challenge for Zanzibar, requiring a national-level approach to improvement.

The Vice-Chairperson of the e-GA Board, Dr Jasmine Tiisekwa, insisted that the government must keep up with advancements in science and technology. “e-GA ensures that the government aligns with technological growth to achieve its digital economy goals,” he said.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Administration, Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Joseph Mhagama, stressed that poor ICT infrastructure in rural areas could hinder the expansion of digital services and called for urgent investment in connectivity.

“It is crucial that all government institutions’ ICT systems are efficiently managed by e-GA,” he added.

The 5th e-Government Annual Conference showcased significant progress in Tanzania’s digital transformation.

Stakeholders emphasised the need for collaboration, cybersecurity and sustainable ICT system development to improve service delivery to citizens.