By Our Correspondent

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, February 23, 2024 - Burundi and Tanzania signed a $3.3 million agreement today to enhance communication services in Burundi. The deal, signed by the Burundi Backbone System (BBS) and the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), aims at fostering closer ICT collaboration between the two countries through the backbone system.

The Director General of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr. Jabiri Bakari, witnessed the historical signing ceremony to extend the national backbone services to Burundi.

The five-year agreement will witness TTCL extending the backbone services on Burundi's National Communication Backbone. The Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Hon. Nape Nnauye (MP), expressed gratitude saying that the agreement marks a significant milestone for both countries saying the enhanced connectivity will improve communication and connectivity for businesses and citizens alike in Burundi.

The commercial agreement spans five years and holds a value of USD 3.3 million, approximately equivalent to Tanzanian Shillings 8.3 billion.

Speaking at the ceremony, TTCL's Director General, Engineer Peter Ulanga, highlighted that Burundi Backbone System (BBS) has been a major and longstanding client of TTCL since 2019. He said the initial agreement in 2019 connected the National Communication Backbone with Burundi Backbone System through the Kabanga border area between Tanzania and Burundi in Ngara District, Kagera Region, and Manyovu in Kigoma.

During the event, Mr. Jeremie Diomede Hageringwe, CEO of BBS, presented a souvenir of appreciation to the TCRA Director-General, Dr. Jabiri Bakari, recognising TCRA's contribution to collaboration with communication sector stakeholders in Burundi and other East African Region Countries.

TCRA continues to garner accolades for its exceptional performance, as acknowledged by the Burundian Authority. In November 2021, a delegation of communication experts, led by Ms. Lea Ngabire, the Director-General of communications services in Burundi, visited TCRA headquarters in Dar Es salaam for a comprehensive training session. The delegation commended TCRA for its unwavering collaboration with the Burundi communications regulatory body.

During the visit, Dr. Jabiri Bakari expressed a commitment to sustaining and enriching this valuable partnership. This agreement signifies a step forward in regional collaboration, enhancing communication infrastructure and fostering a lasting partnership between Tanzania and Burundi in the field of ICTs and telecommunications.