Tanzania among surfing high on cheap Internet

DAR ES SALAAM: IN April this year, Tanzania proudly joined the rest of the global community of technology sector to celebrate the International Day of Girls in ICT, held on every 24th April of the year.

The celebrations in Tanzania were facilitated by the Government through its Communications regulatory body, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

The occasion, held in Tanzania’s business Capital, Dar es Salaam, was graced by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Mr Jerry Silaa.

ICT showcases value of ICT in economic transformations ICT is crucially of the import in achieving mileage in the digital economy. India is one of the leading world nations in the industry and it has made giant strides in its economy.

India is presently positioned the fourth-largest global economy at par with Japan. IMF forecasts India to be the fastest-growing major economy over the next two years, maintaining a significant advantage over both global and regional competitors despite the adjustment in growth projections.

Obviously, ICT gives India a competitive advantage. The integration of ICT into the economic and business processes has revolutionised the way in which goods and services are produced and delivered.

This has led to increased efficiency and productivity, and has resulted in higher economic growth and development. The good news is that, Tanzania has made strides in the ICT ecosystem.

The country is one of the leading countries which enjoy access to a wide range of communication services at affordable rates compared to most countries in the world.

“According to the statistics provided by the TCRA, as of March, 2025, the number of internet service users has grown to reach 49.3 million and the mobile lines in use topped a whopping 90.4 million,” said Mr Silaa in his speech.

The minister hailed the achievements to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sixth government which ensured the availability of various telecommunications services in the country as a testament that the government is committed to create an enabling environment for her society to participate effectively in the digital economy.

Tanzania is one of the leading countries which enjoy access to a wide range of communication services at affordable rates compared to most countries in the world.

ALSO READ: UCSAF commits to extend communication services to 29m Tanzanians

In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology stands as a powerful catalyst for change, transforming the way we interact, communicate, and engage with the world around us.

“As we are witnessing, in recent years, there have been significant developments in the telecommunications sector in the country, a large community of Tanzanians in both urban and rural areas has been reached by telecommunications service and internet access,” the Minister in charge of ICT says.

Government efforts to raise girl champions in ICT Without leaving the girls out of this dynamic landscape, the government-built science-based secondary schools in all regions in upping women scientists and technologists who would in turn help achieve community engagement.

The construction of these schools is enshrined in CCM election manifesto – 2020 to 2025. The schools are going to provide a critical mass of ICT scientists from whom the champions would emerge to revolutionise the country’s digital economy.

The government congratulates TCRA

It moves the heart of Mr Silaa to say, “I congratulate TCRA for its efforts to educate the community about the positive use of digital technologies, and to motivate young and preferably girls, to embrace the opportunities presented by technological advancements, and to participate in the building of the Digital economy.”

“As we are witnessing, in recent years, there have been significant developments in the telecommunications sector in the country. A large community of Tanzanians in both urban and rural areas has been reached by telecommunications service and internet access.”

It is true that the fusion of technology and community engagement has given birth to a realm of possibilities, igniting social innovations that are reshaping our society.

Therefore, engaging girls and women in ICT calls a global attention. “We have heard here from the TCRA Director General, this Girls in ICT celebration has been held every year to inspire girls to love Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and to dispel the notion that these subjects are difficult and are only for boys,” the Minister “We have heard here from the TCRA Director General, this Girls in ICT celebration has been held every year to inspire girls to love Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and to dispel the notion that these subjects are difficult and are only for boys,” the Minister notes.

“I congratulate TCRA for its efforts to educate the community about the positive use of digital technologies, and to motivate young and preferably girls, to embrace the opportunities presented by technological advancements, and to participate in the building of the Digital economy.”

In fact, STEM is more than just a group of subjects. It is a way of integrating these crucial areas into a holistic approach to learning and problem-solving.

It is true that STEM would be viewed as a fusion recipe that blends four basic ingredients to prepare the students for the jobs of tomorrow, ICT being a focal point.

This educational framework focuses on developing not only knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

The Minister is impressed on how TCRA coordinated STEM- based training for various girl groups from the gamut of pre- school to university levels in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

“I also congratulate them very much for involving girls with special needs in this training, and for building the motivation to dare to devise technological systems that can help solve various challenges in society,” the Minister says.

In attendance was the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Nicholaus Merinyo Mkapa who made it clear that Tanzania had a shortage or female ICT engineers hence concerted efforts were needed to bridge the gap.

TCRA Director General, Dr Jabiri Bakari says, the regulator, being one of the ITU members and also seating on its executive council , TCRA devised assorted programmes which involve conducting training to enhance STEM-based knowledge for girl students ranging from preschool, to universities.

“The purpose is to provide them with the motivation to design digital technologies for addressing the challenges facing the communities around them,” Dr. Jabir says.

The training aims not only to inspire girls to love STEM subjects, but also to build a sense of self-confidence and dare to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the world of ICT.

TCRA Director General, Dr Jabiri Bakari said, being ITU member and in fact, seating on its executive council, TCRAdevised assorted programmes whose activities involve conducting training on enhancing STEM-based knowledge for girl students ranging from preschool, to universities.

The participants were stunned by how primary school girls in Tanzania could assemble and pilot drones despite their ages.

It is clear, Tanzania could achieve great strides if the current efforts in enhancing ICT performance in the country’s economy were sustained. The theme for this year’s International Day of Girls in ICT is ‘Digital Inclusive Transformation’.

The aim is to increase the springboard in digital training and skills for girls and women from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to increase their creativity in the ICT sector.

The writer is Technology Editor-cum-books’ authors