Five years ago, Artificial Intelligence in Tanzania was often viewed with doubt and uncertainty, with many people associating it with job losses, cyber threats and machines replacing human labour. Today, the technology is steadily becoming part of everyday life, transforming how the country learns, communicates, conducts business and solves social challenges.
From healthcare and transport to education and finance, AI is increasingly being embraced by a new generation of young innovators determined to use technology to address local problems.
Six Tanzanian students at IIT Madras Zanzibar are gaining advanced skills in data science and artificial intelligence through a scholarship programme backed by the Airtel Africa Foundation, in a move aimed at narrowing the digital skills gap and supporting the country’s transition to a data-driven economy.
The Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme is funding 10 students from different African countries, at IIT Madras Zanzibar, where six of them are Tanzanians, pursuing a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
The initiative, valued at about $500,000, covers full tuition and provides stipends, allowing beneficiaries to focus on their studies and practical training.
While the programme is modest in scale, its design reflects a broader shift in how education is being aligned with labour market needs in Tanzania and across Africa, where demand for digital skills is rising but access to specialised training remains limited.
Students interviewed said the fellowship is enabling a transition from theory-based learning to hands-on application, equipping them with competencies that are directly relevant to industry.
“Traditional systems focus mainly on theoretical knowledge, but here we have project-based assessments that allow us to apply what we learn,” said Given Kangwa, one of the beneficiaries. “I am actively applying tools and techniques used in real-world data science and AI workflows.”
At the Zanzibar campus, students work with programming languages such as Python, analyse datasets and build machine learning models as part of their coursework. Several said this approach has made learning more practical and better aligned with job requirements.
“Traditional systems are very theory-heavy, but here we actually build things and solve problems similar to real job settings,” another student said, noting that exposure to real datasets has improved problem-solving skills and confidence.
The approaches are critical as African economies increasingly adopt digital technologies across sectors including finance, transport and healthcare. However, the supply of skilled professionals has not kept pace with demand, creating a gap that governments and private sector players are seeking to address through targeted education initiatives.
For some students, the financial support itself is the programme’s most significant contribution.
Nassir Hemed Nassor, another beneficiary, said the fellowship has removed economic barriers that might otherwise limit his ability to pursue advanced training.
“With the fellowship covering my fees, I have been able to dedicate time to building AI models and exploring emerging technologies,” he said.
Nassir is currently working on projects that apply artificial intelligence to real-world challenges, including a system designed to reduce traffic congestion in large cities and an algorithmic trading model tested in simulated financial markets.
“These opportunities go far beyond traditional classroom learning,” he said. “They give me the freedom to practice and refine skills needed to solve real-world problems.”
Students said the training content is closely aligned with current and future labour market needs, both in Tanzania and globally, where demand for data scientists, machine learning engineers and AI specialists is growing.
“The training content is highly relevant both locally and globally, especially with the increasing demand for data science and AI skills,” Kangwa said.
Despite these gains, students acknowledged that acquiring advanced digital skills presents challenges, particularly for those with limited prior exposure to programming or complex mathematical concepts.
“The learning curve has been steep, especially with abstract concepts, but consistency and breaking problems into smaller parts has helped,” Nelson Zakayo said.
Others highlighted the importance of infrastructure and learning environments in supporting skill development. Access to modern computer laboratories and collaborative spaces at the Zanzibar campus has enabled students to experiment, build and test solutions more effectively.
“The environment encourages us to apply knowledge and create meaningful impact, making the learning experience more dynamic and relevant,” said Milliam Rukanda, another beneficiary.
Students also pointed to the importance of peer learning and mentorship in overcoming technical challenges. Working in teams and engaging with instructors has helped them navigate difficult topics such as machine learning algorithms and data processing techniques.
Ismail Ramadhan Simai said the programme has strengthened his ability to interpret data and support decision-making, skills that are increasingly valued across industries.
“I have learned how to clean, process and analyse data, which are essential skills in today’s job market,” he said.
For Ibrahim Silima, the practical orientation of the programme has already translated into innovation. He is working on projects including a non-invasive blood sugar analysis system and chatbot development, applying machine learning and data analysis techniques to address real-world problems.
“I’ve gained hands-on experience through projects that go beyond theory,” he said, adding that such applications demonstrate how AI can be used in sectors such as healthcare, education and financial services.
The initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme could play a role in supporting Tanzania’s broader development goals, including expanding digital infrastructure, fostering innovation and improving access to quality education.
The programme also reflects growing collaboration between African institutions and international partners. The partnership with IIT Madras Zanzibar, an extension of one of India’s leading technology institutes, is seen as part of wider efforts to strengthen educational and technological ties between the two countries.
For the students, however, the impact is more immediate. Many said the programme has reshaped their career ambitions, opening pathways into fields such as data science, artificial intelligence and software development.
“This training has opened up opportunities in data science, AI and software development, and strengthened my ability to learn new technologies,” Kangwa said.
Some beneficiaries also said the experience has encouraged them to consider entrepreneurship and research, with the aim of developing solutions tailored to local challenges.
As Tanzania continues to position itself within the global digital economy, the need for skilled professionals is expected to grow. While small in scale, the Airtel Africa Fellowship Programme offers a model of how targeted investment in education can contribute to building that workforce.
For now, the 10 students at IIT Madras Zanzibar represent an early cohort of what could become a broader shift toward practical, industry-aligned training in emerging technologies—an approach that may prove critical in shaping the country’s digital future.
