DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has strengthened its international reputation in the communications sector by joining key decision-making organisations and demonstrating regional leadership in various areas.
According to a statement by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania is a member of the Executive Councils of the African Postal Union (PAPU), the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).
PAPU’s headquarters is located in Arusha and its office building constructed in collaboration with the Union and the government of Tanzania through TCRA had a landmark inauguration by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
A report presented by TCRA Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari evaluates the state of Tanzania’s communications sector over the last four years under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership.
A recent report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cyber Security Index indicates that Tanzania ranks first in East Africa and third in Africa for high cybersecurity levels. Tanzania is one of 46 countries worldwide that are exemplary, excelling in cybersecurity at global level.
Recently, Tanzania established its’ Personal Information Protection Commission. Measures are being taken to enhance the privacy and confidentiality of citizens’ information in communications through legislation that strengthens data protection.
Recent findings from the ITU show that Tanzania also excels in telecommunications management, exceeding the African average in all participatory governance pillars and indicators.
In Tanzania, examples of participatory management are evident in finance through the mobile money services, cybersecurity and safety, spectrum usage, health and transportation by air, water and land.
TCRA collaborates with the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) on mobile money transactions, marine-maritime services, high speed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and works alongside the Civil Aviation Authority regarding spectrum allocation and usage.
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Service providers also register SIM cards using information from the National Identification Authority (NIDA).
Tanzania’s Digital Policy Framework score for 2023 was nearly double the African average.
It surpasses the averages of other African countries and the member states of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
According to ITU the TCRA is progressing towards a new model of internationally standardised management.
This advancement is due to the TCRA possessing all the essential tools needed to attain an improved level of governance based on strong guidelines and principles rather than conventional methods, as explained.
Dr Bakari, the Director General of TCRA, is a member of the ITU Innovation Management Stakeholder Board.
Consequently, ITU has selected Tanzania as one of the African nations that will host technical support centres for innovation.
The National Centre for Innovation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aims at enhancing the capacity and encouraging digital innovation throughout the country.
Dr Bakari explained that the centre seeks to transform the entire innovation ecosystem across Tanzania thus “Building a Society Empowered by Digitally Enabled Communication Services”.
