TANZANIA’S TELECOMS INDUSTRY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE COUNTRY’S DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT

Digital technology has helped transform countries across Africa. New mobile and computer-based programmes have helped businesses of all sizes flourish. This is in turn is having a profound impact on employment and productivity, helping to boost the economic growth of countries across the continent.

In many countries, digital progress has been made possible by a strong foundation of digital infrastructure twinned with support from government and private sector contributions.

Just this week, Microsoft stressed the importance of fostering the right technological skills across Africa, in order to safeguard the country’s digital future. Speaking on the matter, Regional Manager for the Middle East and African Region, Ibrahim Youssry, highlighted Microsoft’s commitment to enabling a knowledge-based economy, by redefining education and working to empower the youth.

Since 2017 the company has upskilled 4.8 million underserved youths across Africa, helping improve their employability, alongside enabling 1,500 aspiring entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses.

Often the private and public sectors work in tandem. Just last month, the Nigerian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IBM, to work together to bridge the digital literacy gap in the country.

This new programme will mean Nigerians in rural areas will be provided with access to digital literacy programmes, to equip them with the necessary skills for the modern world.

In Tanzania, private companies have long been essential in driving forward the country’s digital development.

The telecoms sector in particular has been at the forefront of this, evidenced by their financial commitment to the country’s development. The sector alone has invested over TZS 6 trillion to date.

This is undoubtedly a noteworthy sum, but we want to ensure this level of investment continues into the future, to allow the sector to continue flourishing.

We cannot afford to become complacent. We must ensure the business environment can adapt when necessary to facilitate future development.

As this sector grows, it will in turn mobilise other industries and boost financial inclusion to help the country reach its economic and development goals.

Ibrahim Ramia
CoET, UDSM
23.02.2020