THE TANZANIA Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has hosted 10 officials from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CAK) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in a working session focused on sharing experience in Managing Internal Communication Systems that facilitate Revenue Data Processing in the Telecommunication Sector. The session was part of a five-day visit by the Kenyan Authorities, which also included engagements with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and TCRA.

Welcoming the delegation, TCRA’s representative, Engineer Andrew Kisaka, expressed the Authority’s pride in hosting industry experts from Kenya. “It is an honor for us as a regulatory body to receive our counterparts from the region. This engagement highlights the strong neighborly ties and our shared commitment to advancing the communications sector in East Africa,” he remarked. Engineer Kisaka assured the delegation that TCRA’s expert team was well-prepared to facilitate a productive knowledge exchange.

The Kenyan delegation was led by KRA Deputy Commissioner Joseph Tonui, accompanied by five KRA officials, four CAK representatives, and one official from Kenya’s Ministry of Communications. Commissioner Tonui expressed his appreciation to TCRA for accommodating their visit, stating that their objective was to learn from Tanzania’s experience in managing and processing revenue data from telecommunications service providers through TCRA and TRA.

During the session, Engineer Iddi Mtanga, Manager of TCRA’s ICT Department, provided insights into the evolution of Tanzania’s telecommunications regulatory framework. He highlighted TCRA’s decision to develop and manage its internal systems rather than relying on external contractors. “Previously, we used the TTMS system, which was implemented by an external vendor and could only process mobile network data. However, our in-house CMS system has been enhanced to support broadcasting and postal services as well,” he explained.

Engineer Fuad Adam, Manager of the Communications Systems Management Unit, elaborated on the capabilities of the CMS system, stating that it currently operates across 12 modules. These modules collect and analyze data from various service providers, including mobile networks, internet service providers, telecom towers, broadcasting stations, and postal services. This enables TCRA to effectively monitor, plan, and offer guidance on improving service delivery in the sector.

The working session also featured an interactive discussion, during which Engineer Rodgers Mumelo from CAK suggested that TCRA consider exchanging technical personnel with CAK to explore how Kenya could transition from using vendor-managed systems to in-house solutions. Responding to this, Engineer Iddi Mtanga reaffirmed TCRA’s commitment to developing local expertise. He emphasized that the authority has made deliberate efforts to recruit and upskill its professionals to ensure data security, reduce reliance on costly external vendors, and maintain sustainable systems that are not subject to third-party constraints.

Expressing his gratitude, Deputy Commissioner Tonui commended TCRA for its significant strides in establishing robust and secure internal systems. “I highly commend TCRA for achieving this milestone. Your ability to develop internal capacity has not only reduced costs but also minimized cybersecurity risks,” he remarked.

TCRA continues to foster a culture of knowledge sharing with neighboring countries, supporting regional efforts to improve ICT systems and service regulation. This approach aligns with Tanzania’s broader national policies under the Sixth Administration, aimed at strengthening international cooperation and leveraging the digital economy to drive economic growth.