Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is a member of regional, and international bodies. Over the years, TCRA has participated in various meetings and conferences held by some of these bodies that deal with the communication sector. Some of these conferences include;
1. The International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU-PP22)
Tanzania is a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which is a specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Tanzania has been a member since 1962 and has immensely participated and actively contributed in the works and activities of the union. In the activities of ITU, Tanzania is represented by TCRA.
TCRA participated at The International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU-PP), which convenes every four years that recently took place from 26th September to 14th October 2022 in Bucharest, Romania's capital city. The ITU PP is the highest decision-making body of the ITU.
The ITU PP-22 meeting gave Tanzania, together with other 193 ITU member states, a strategic viewpoint for running the telecommunications sector. The conference was very vital as it set a clear road map for the next four years on programmes and activities related to Telecommunication/ICTs development.
Tanzania addressed on three key issues in the conference which were; support to human and institutional capacity building; global collaboration in cybercrime and cyber war; harmonization of policies and regulatory frameworks and development of fibre for achieving regional interconnectivity and universal access and hoped for commitment from all member states.
Among other events, Tanzania was elected to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Council after garnering 141 votes out of 180 valid votes’ cast. Tanzania has joined 47 other countries at the ITU's council and it will serve for four years from 2023 - 2026.
2. Economic Regulatory Committee Training & Meeting
CRASA organised the second meeting of the Economic Regulation Committee (ERC) that was hosted by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), a member of the organization on 21st to 26th November 2022 in Zanzibar.
The Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) brings together thirteen Sub-Saharan communications regulatory organizations whereby Tanzania is represented by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
The main agenda of the meeting was assurance of citizens in the member states afford communication services whenever they cross borders into the region. Tanzania committed to evaluate CRASA’s key proposal on reducing Communication costs in the SADC region.
The Meeting was preceeded by awareness seminar to members covering broadband indicators, ICT price baskets, telecommunications building plus tariff collections analysis and reporting.
3. Pan African Postal Union Day 2023
The 43rd anniversary of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU DAY) was commemorated on 13th January in Dodoma Region. The event’s theme was; “The Post: An established promoter of cross border e-commerce in Africa”.
The theme emphasized the postal sector’s rightful role of being a key socio-economic stimulator, Also the theme stressed on ensuring that Tanzania run parallel with the rest of the world in embracing digital transformation.
TCRA Director-General Dr. Jabiri Bakari, urged post to create a conducive environment to enhance the cross-border business that has been mushrooming in Africa in recent years and expressed TCRAs willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders at improving such environment, so as to benefit from the advantage of doing digital business.
4. Tanzania annual ICT conference, 2022
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) participated the Tanzania Annual ICT Conference (TAIC), one of the largest national gathering of ICT industry players in Tanzania.
TCRA participated in the conference from 26th to 28th October 2022 in Zanzibar, which was driven by the theme: Leveraging Digital Transformation in the Blue Economy for Social-Economic Development.
The conference offers a unique platform for capacity building, policy dialogues, business investors networking, professional discussion, experience and knowledge sharing on the global ICT issues, business opportunities, knowledge and skills needed to cope with the dynamic digital ecosystem.
During this Conference, TCRA communicated its commitment to promoting the use of ICT and nurture development of new communication services that focus on improving living standards of the people.
TCRA used the event to communicate how it supports innovators who come up with new ICT solutions that would directly benefit communities. The government through TCRA in collaboration with COSTECH now offers resources free of charge to Start Ups and incubators for a period of three months and the trial duration can be extended if ICT solution project appears to be viable and promising.
5. Safer Internet Day, 2023
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) organized the commemoration of Safer Internet Day that was held on 7th February 2023 in Dodoma Region. The authority used this platform to educate youths on Cyber Safety and encourage internet skills amongst them. The event targets to scout, educate and build the next generation of cyber security professionals.
Prior to the event day, TCRA made efforts to identify, raise and support the cyber security skills and culture within different targeted groups such as youth from high schools to higher learning institutions through various awareness programs and cyber security competition whereby outstanding candidates (Cyber security Champions) were recognized and awarded.
