Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology Jerry William Silaa. Photo: Courtesy
By Charles Mkoka
Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology Jerry William Silaa has announced that Tanzania will continue to collaborate with other nations to boost its digital economy, following significant investments in the ICT sector.
Speaking at the opening of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Africa Regional Forum, held at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam from October 9-11, 2024, Minister Silaa highlighted the launch of Tanzania’s 10-Year Digital Strategy (2024-2034) by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which aims to integrate ICT into the economy and social affairs.
The Minister noted that the government has made substantial investments in ICT infrastructure, including the National Communication Backbone and communication towers, as well as implementing various policies and laws to ensure Tanzania actively participates in the digital economy.
He commended President Samia for her leadership and guidance, which has enabled the Ministry to effectively carry out its responsibilities, positioning Tanzania as a leader in ICT development.
Minister Silaa also invited participants to the upcoming 8th Tanzania ICT Conference, scheduled for October 13-17, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, with the Prime Minister, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa, as the guest of honor. He emphasized that the conference will prioritize topics related to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, stressing the importance of raising awareness about these technologies and their contributions to economic and social activities.
Furthermore, Minister Silaa pointed out that Tanzania is among the global leaders in cybersecurity, ranking as one of the top five countries in Africa. He referenced the Global Cybersecurity Index, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on September 23, 2024, which evaluates the cybersecurity maturity of countries every four years.
He stressed that cybersecurity must be a priority, given the rapid technological advancements and the growth of the digital economy, where many activities, including financial services and personal data management, are conducted online.
To bolster cybersecurity, Tanzania has established robust cyber laws, effective strategies, and the TZ-CERT unit within the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), which focuses on network protection and threat detection, contributing to Tanzania’s leadership in global cybersecurity.
