Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has made significant strides in fostering growth of the digital and blue economy in Tanzania, demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling its mandate.

This was revealed during the annual Tanzania Editors Forum held in Lindi, where TCRA's Head of Communications and Public Relations Unit, Mr. Rolf Kibaja, elaborated on the authority's efforts to enhance communication infrastructure, promote digital skills, and encourage the adoption of digital technology across various sectors.

Mr. Kibaja emphasised TCRA's dedication to ensuring Tanzania possesses a modern communication infrastructure that supports the burgeoning digital economy.

He highlighted the provision of resources for high-speed 4G and 5G internet as one of the key measures undertaken by TCRA to accelerate the country's digital transformation.

In the realm of education, TCRA is actively implementing programs to cultivate digital skills, including the establishment and coordination of digital clubs in schools and universities. The Head explained that these 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 emphasized 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 about 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. These 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 TZS 30.58 in 2015 to TZS 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 he said is the growth in the number of mobile money accounts, mounting from 47,275,660 in June of this year to 51,369,347 as of September 2023.

“There has been a commendable decline in the number of phones linked to indicators of fraud or crime, decreasing from 39,394 in June 2023 to 23,328 as of September 2023” he asserted.

The head of communication informed editors that these achievements underscore TCRA's effectiveness and active involvement in advancing Tanzania's digital and blue economy. He urged the news leaders to prioritize dissemination of positive and constructive information geared at accelerating the country's development