The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has called on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen efforts in combating cybercrime.
This directive was issued today, January 20, 2025, during a Committee session in Dodoma, where members reviewed the Ministry’s half-year budget implementation report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The Committee Chairperson, Selemani Kakoso (MP), praised the Ministry and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for their commendable work in fostering a digital economy and addressing cybercrime.
However, he emphasized the need for more robust measures to counter the evolving threat of online criminal activities.
The Committee recommended stricter supervision of mobile network operators to ensure that SIM card registrations are conducted by the rightful owners.
This move seeks to eliminate the practice of registering SIM cards on behalf of others, a loophole often exploited in cybercrimes.
Recognizing the rapid advancement of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, the Committee also urged the Ministry to ensure that these innovations are not misused but rather leveraged to reduce cybercrime effectively.
Responding to the recommendations, the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry William Silaa (MP), reassured the public that Tanzania’s cyberspace remains secure and highlighted the country’s commendable performance in the African region.
Minister Silaa revealed that his Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs held a joint meeting at the end of 2024, during which they pledged to accelerate efforts to combat cybercrime.,
He noted significant progress in public education initiatives, which have reached approximately 3 million citizens through social media campaigns and broadcasts on platforms such as TBC FM, TVE, EFM, and AZAM TV.
These efforts have provided crucial education on online safety and cybersecurity in regions including Dodoma, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tabora, and Zanzibar.
As technology continues to evolve, the government is under growing pressure to ensure robust cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and maintain trust in the digital economy.
