Govt pledges support for ICT sector growth to boost digital economy
DAR ES SALAAM:THE government has committed to doing everything possible to foster the growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector as part of its ongoing efforts to build a robust digital economy in Tanzania.
Furthermore, it has pledged to ensure that all Tanzanians are included in the ICT sector, aiming to leave no one behind.
These remarks were made over the weekend by the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr Jerry Silaa, who launched and presented the 2025 ICT Awards to nearly 50 winners on behalf of the Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango.
Mr Silaa praised the establishment of the ICT Awards, noting that they will encourage innovation in the ICT field and strengthen the sector, which is vital for the digital economy.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has consistently directed the implementation of the national 10-year Digital Economy Strategy. Therefore, we cannot afford to leave any stakeholder behind. We must work together to ensure that our ICT sector flourishes,” he said.
The minister also instructed the ICT Commission to ensure the continuity of the awards insisting that they should be held annually, with professionalism and high standards, to attract more participants.
The awards were organised by the ICT Commission (ICTC) in collaboration with SoftVentures and the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA).
The event provided an opportunity for 380 participants to present their work, which was professionally reviewed and validated by an international firm responsible for advising and overseeing the evaluation process.
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Earlier, the Director-General of the ICT Commission, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, stated that the purpose of the awards was to encourage innovation within Tanzania’s ICT sector.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Mohamed Abdullah, urged the ICT Commission to ensure that next year’s awards are even more successful, with the inclusion of more stakeholders.
Among the winners, Nafidh Ally Mola, a first-year Computer Science student at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam and Dorice Malle from Mama Mia’s Soko Institute, expressed that the awards would inspire them further in their creative endeavours.
They noted that the recognition had earned them respect within their communities.
The participants in the 2022 ICT Awards competed in various categories, including Innovation in ICT Products or Services, Best Use of ICT, ICT for Social Development, Successful Young Person in ICT, Women in ICT, ICT Security, Public Sector ICT Projects, Sustainable ICT and TISPA Awards for Best Internet Service Provider, among others.
