TCRA empowers students to exploit digital economy opportunities
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is currently implementing programmes geared to cultivate digital skills among school and university students, as a strategy of empowering the group to exploit various opportunities in the digital economy.
The regulator is executing the plan through establishing and coordinating digital clubs in schools and universities.
Speaking during the annual Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) held in Lindi recently, TCRA Head of Communications and Public Relations Unit, Mr Rolf Kibaja said the clubs empower students to grasp digital technologies and their practical applications, urging students from all levels of education to actively participate in these initiatives.
Recognising the importance of nurturing young innovators, Mr Kibaja underscored TCRA’s partnership with Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) to provide digital technologies innovators with free communication resources, namely numbering resources, frequency spectrum and dot tz domains.
“TCRA is unwavering in its commitment to empowering young innovators in the digital technology domain by providing them with resources they need to develop and implement digital solutions that can positively impact healthcare, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, education, social services and businesses,” he stated.
Mr Kibaja further emphasised TCRA’s public education campaigns, which advocate for utilisation of digital technology in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism and education.
He asserted that these technologies hold immense potential to bring about positive change in the lives of Tanzanian citizens.
In a call to action, Mr Kibaja urged media editors to strengthen collaboration in disseminating information about digital and blue economy.
He highlighted the crucial role of mass media in raising awareness on the transformative potential of these technologies and mobilising public support for their adoption.
Presenting the latest sector figures, the head of communication for TCRA showcased several notable achievements in the organisation’s endeavours to foster the digital and blue economy in Tanzania.
The successes include a significant increase in the number of mobile phone lines, rising from 64.01 million in June 2023 to 67.12 million in September 2023.
Additionally, there has been a remarkable reduction in the cost of phone connectivity, dropping from 30.58/- in 2015 to 1.86/- per minute in 2023.
The number of internet users has also witnessed a substantial increase, now reaching 34 million users.
Another notable success, according to the TCRA official, is the growth in the number of mobile money accounts, mounting from 47.3 million in June of this year to 51.4 million as of September 2023.
