Tanzania is hosting a Subregional Workshop for Africa organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), bringing together experts from 23 English-speaking African countries to discuss ways to expand access to communication services and strengthen digital connectivity across the continent.
The three-day workshop, running from March 24 to 26, 2026 in Dar es Salaam, is coordinated by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in collaboration with ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
Speaking at the opening session, TCRA Director General Jabiri Bakari said Tanzania is continuing to strengthen efforts aimed at increasing inclusive access to communication services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
He said the country is implementing several initiatives through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), which supports the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and services to ensure more citizens benefit from digital connectivity.
Dr Bakari noted that Tanzania is also improving regulatory frameworks that support the expansion and measurement of Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC), a global initiative aimed at ensuring that people not only have access to the internet but are also able to use it effectively to improve their social and economic wellbeing.
The workshop has brought together participants from different sectors including national statistics institutions, research organisations, telecommunications regulators from across Africa, higher learning institutions, communication service providers and government ministries responsible for digital development.
Among the participating institutions are experts from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Tanzania and other stakeholders involved in expanding digital infrastructure and improving data systems used to measure connectivity.
Discussions during the meeting focus on sharing experiences, improving methods used to measure connectivity, and strengthening collaboration among African countries to accelerate digital transformation.
Through hosting the meeting, Tanzania aims to contribute to regional efforts to ensure that communication technologies support economic growth, innovation and social development across Africa.
