DODOMA: THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has directed the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs in tackling cybercrime, including the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).
The directive was issued by the committee chairman, Mr Selemani Kakoso during a meeting aimed to review and discuss the mid-year implementation report for the 2024/2025 fiscal budget of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology held recently in Dodoma.
He said following the rapid advancement of emerging technologies and the growing use of AI, there is need for the ministry to oversee the proper application of the technologies.
“Considering the rapid growth of emerging technologies and the use of AI, it is essential for these two ministries to collaborate in combating cybercrime. We have to emphasise the proper use of these technologies to prevent their misuse and to support efforts in combating cybercrime,” said Mr Kakoso.
He also advised the ministry to strictly monitor telecommunications companies, particularly ensuring that SIM cards are registered by their rightful owners.
He said that the measure will help prevent individuals from registering SIM cards on behalf of others, thus reducing their potential misuse in online criminal activities.
Mr Kakoso further commended the ministry and its regulatory agency, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), for their significant efforts in advancing the digital economy and combating cybercrime.
On his part, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr Jerry William Silaa reassured that Tanzania’s cyberspace remains secure and that the country continues to excel in cybersecurity efforts within the African region.
He outlined various initiatives already undertaken, noting that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, held a meeting at the end of 2024 as they pledged to intensify efforts to combat cybercrime.
The Minister also said that the ministry has provided cybersecurity education to approximately three million citizens through social media, radio and television platforms.
“This public education campaign has reached regions such as Dodoma, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tabora and Zanzibar,” he said.
Moreover, Mr Silaa highlighted the successful integration of the National Physical Addressing (NaPA) with 13 other government service delivery systems.
ALSO READ: Tanzania’s smartphone usage surges to 25.4 million
He listed some of the integrated systems, including, The TAUSI system by the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), The Block Management System by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Nikonekt by TANESCO, Posta Kiganjani by the Tanzania Postal Corporation, Tfiber by TTCL, The Tanzanite Portal by TCRA, PMS by NEMC, LOIS by EWURA.
Mr Silaa also mentioned the ongoing verification and collection of residential address data for tourist sites in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and 21 national parks under TANAPA.
He further revealed the development of five national systems to enhance access to government services including the Sectoral Data Exchange System (Jamii XChange and ZanXchange) and the Digital Identity System (Jamii Namba).
Other systems are the Customer Identification System (e-KYC), The Digital Payment System (Jamii Pay), The Registration and Facilitation System for ICT Innovation Stakeholders, including a startup platform (Safari Hunt).
Regarding the construction of 758 communication towers, Minister Silaa said that 372 towers have been completed, with 332 of them operational and providing services nationwide while all 304 planned tower upgrades have been finalised.