Public institutions have been urged to strengthen the management of their information technology systems by putting in place clear policies, security frameworks and operational guidelines to prevent unnecessary spending, reduce duplication and protect government data.
The call was made by the e-Government Authority (e-GA) Manager for Governance, Control and Standards, Ms Sultana Seiff, who said all institutions should have essential ICT governance documents to guide technology investments and ensure systems are managed effectively.
She made the remarks during a five-day training programme underway in Dodoma, which seeks to equip ICT officers with a common understanding of laws, regulations, standards and guidelines governing the management and adoption of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Ms Seiff said key documents required in public institutions included ICT policies and strategies, information security policies, disaster recovery plans, acceptable-use policies and procedures for managing ICT services and projects.
Others include guidelines for the development, procurement, operation and maintenance of ICT systems, as well as an institutional Enterprise Architecture framework.
She said the documents were important in ensuring that technology investments and operations were guided by established standards, while strengthening the security of public systems and institutional information.
The emphasis on proper ICT planning comes as public institutions increasingly adopt digital systems to improve service delivery, making coordination, security and efficient use of public resources essential.
Ms Seiff also urged ICT officers to use the training to improve their understanding of emerging technologies, particularly AI, and identify appropriate ways of applying them to improve services for citizens.
For the Medical Stores Department (MSD), the training offers an opportunity to improve technology planning and avoid spending public funds on systems with overlapping functions.
MSD ICT officer Mr Erick Makabali said the programme had equipped him with knowledge of how to prepare an institutional Enterprise Architecture document, which would help the department plan and manage its ICT investments more effectively.
He said the framework would enable MSD to identify areas where existing or proposed systems perform similar functions, helping the institution avoid unnecessary purchases and development costs.
"This will help ensure that the ICT budget is directed towards priority areas and the institution's actual needs," he said.
Mr Makabali added that the document would improve coordination and integration of ICT systems, simplify the management of technology resources and enhance operational efficiency.
The training is part of government efforts, through e-GA, to strengthen the capacity of public sector ICT personnel and improve the management and use of technology in advancing digital government services.