Tanzania has introduced programmes to empower its citizens to reap the full benefits of information and communications technologies (ICT) as part of strategies to promote universal access to communications services, the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Hon. Nape Moses Nnauye has said.

In his message for this year’s African Telecommunications Day on 7 December this year, Hon. Nnauye said the Government would ensure that all Tanzanians had the necessary digital skills to navigate the digital world.

Digital skills were vital to ensure the digital inclusion of Tanzanians, he said.

“The Government was investing in programmes to empower citizens with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape. We are working towards ensuring that every Tanzanian, regardless of their background needs to have the necessary digital skills to navigate the digital world” he said.

The strategy includes addressing infrastructure gaps, and affordability concerns, and providing tailored digital literacy programs to empower communities, he added.

Hon. Nnauye said the Government would ensure the security and privacy of its citizens and implement cybersecurity measures to protect them against cyber threats and to safeguard the integrity of the country’s digital infrastructure.

December 7 each year marks the day in 1977 when the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the African Union’s specialized agency for ICT, was established. The theme of this year’s celebrations is: Towards a Digital Revolution and Inclusion of the Marginalized: Addressing Accessibility Factors.

“True digital inclusion hinges on accessibility. Our policies and initiatives are grounded in the principle that technology should be accessible to all, including those who face physical, economic or social barriers” the minister said.

In his statement, the Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr Jabiri Kuwe Bakari said the Authority had introduced targeted initiatives to ensure connectivity for marginalized communities.

“We have spearheaded programmes that subsidize infrastructure development in rural areas to enable affordable and reliable access to telecommunication services”, he said.

TCRA creates an enabling regulatory environment, drives inclusive programs, and collaborates with diverse stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution are equitably distributed, particularly reaching underserved communities in Tanzania, Dr Jabiri added.

The initiatives included promoting digital clubs in schools to broaden awareness of ICTs and the digital economy and create opportunities to develop ICT skills, the Director General said.

“By empowering these communities from a young age with essential digital skills, TCRA is actively contributing to the broader goal of fostering a digitally inclusive society, emphasizing the transformative potential of digital education and engagement”, he explained.

TCRA also promotes regulatory sandbox schemes in which the Authority allocates free communications resources such as numbers and radio spectrum to innovators for short periods to test their projects. The programme is implemented jointly with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

ATU Secretary General, Mr John Omo underlined the need to address the gap in internet connectivity and accessibility that is determined by, among other factors, geographical locations, income levels, and gender.

He noted that 72 per cent of Africa’s population lacked access to mobile internet, and nearly 200 million people in the region reside in areas not covered by a mobile broadband network.