National museum adopts digital technology

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has unveiled plans to modernise the National Museum through infrastructure upgrades, digital technology and legal reforms aimed at transforming museums into stronger contributors to the national economy.

Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Hassan Chande said the reforms will help position museums and antiquities as key drivers of tourism and economic growth. He made the remarks during a recent visit to the National Museum of Tanzania (NMT) in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Chande said the government is ready to review laws and regulations that may be hindering the development of museums to ensure the sector is recognised as an important contributor to the country’s economy.

“Museums and antiquities are now part of the economy. That is why we want to reform our laws and regulations so that they reflect current realities and serve the interests of our nation. We cannot continue simply preserving and protecting our heritage without also using it to generate income,” he said.

He said the sixth phase government remains committed to strengthening the National Museum by improving its infrastructure and expanding its capacity to deliver quality services.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating more than 1.5bn/- towards renovating museum buildings and strengthening the institution.

The deputy minister also urged the museum to intensify research and surveys while embracing modern technologies to improve operations and enhance visitors’ experience.

He called on Tanzanians to act as ambassadors for the country’s tourist attractions and rich cultural heritage to help promote tourism.

Mr Chande further commended the NMT for its achievements and strategic plans, saying continued research would remain the cornerstone of the institution’s sustainable growth.

He encouraged scholars, researchers and the public to visit the museum to deepen their understanding of Tanzania’s history and support academic research.

Meanwhile, NMT Director General Dr Noel Lwoga said the government is making substantial investments in the museum’s digital transformation, with two major technology projects currently underway.

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He said the first project involves digitising the museum’s collections, enabling the public to access information online through a digital platform and self-service portal.

The second focuses on modernising exhibitions by replacing outdated displays with digital screens, interactive kiosks and augmented reality technology to enrich visitors’ learning experience.

“We are moving ahead with these improvements, and we appreciate the Ministry for providing funding through the Tourism Development Fund to support the modernisation of the museum as part of preparations for AFCON,” Dr Lwoga said.

He said museums and antiquities have enormous potential to contribute to Tanzania’s economy alongside preserving the nation’s history, culture and identity, although the sector has yet to realise its full economic value.

Dr Lwoga expressed confidence that continued government investment would attract more domestic and international visitors, boost tourism and increase revenue generation.

According to him, the National Museum aims to attract two million visitors over the next five years.

The institution has already received more than one million visitors, while 420,000 tourists visited the museum over the past five years, up from an average of about 50,000 previously. Around 90 per cent of the visitors were Tanzanians.