TANZANIA: THE Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) to establish centres to promote information technology innovation.
The partnership which worth 8.0bn/- will see the establishment of six ICT innovation centers in the six regions. ICTC’s Director General, Mr Nkundwe Mwasaga, said the aim is to ensure that youths in the country participate in the digital economy and be able to create more jobs for others.
“This collaboration is an important step towards promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship in our nation,” said Mr Mwasaga.
The six regions are Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mbeya, Lindi, Arusha and Mwanza. The centres, which are startups, will serve as factories of technological innovation, providing opportunities for young companies and entrepreneurs to access modern IT tools, resources, and advice.
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He said the goals of the two institutions are to improve capacity building and knowledge development in the IT sector, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship.
The ICT Commission will provide the technical expertise, resources, and support needed to establish and maintain those creative centers and collaborate closely with SIDO to prepare and implement training programmes and seminars that will help all participants.
“By utilising SIDO’s wide network and its experience in helping entrepreneurs, is playing a pivotal role in ensuring the proper distribution of these resources and opportunities,” he added.
SIDO Director General, Professor Sylvester Mpanduji said four out of six centers will be ICT’s innovations and two will be for the manufacture of ICT Equipment.
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“We expect the youth to get creative training and through these centres many industries will be established in the country, and in the future we also expect young people to establish IT equipment industries such as telephones,” he said.
Additionally, SIDO’s Manager in Arusha Mr Jalphari Donge said that the agreement will be a springboard to raise young people economically.
He said Arusha already has four factories and the organization has entered into an agreement with Arusha colleges to develop more student innovations.