Strategic ICT Leadership

The Government of Tanzania (GOT) recognises the importance of leadership and governance structures to guide the ownership and development of domestic ICT. To achieve these goals, the GOT will: commit to increasing the use of ICT for development of socio-economic and cultural purposes; create a national governing body to coordinate ICT policy and implementation; and create an appropriate investment climate for public private partnerships.

ICT Infrastructure

The GOT’s desire for ICT development is dependent on infrastructure development. The government intends to ensure a reliable nation-wide state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure by supporting incentives, directives and institutions that expand ICT.

ICT Industry

The GOT considers private sector involvement in the development of the ICT infrastructure to be necessary and desirable. As such, the GOT intends to create a conducive business climate for investment and development by building direct relationships with ICT manufacturers and designers. These relationships will ease restrictions on trade and development, and provide advice to the government on issues related to ICT development.

Human Capital

The development of human capital is recognised as integral to the success of ICT and national development. Consequently, the GOT has committed to increasing and promoting education in ICT as a means of building a sustainable ICT transformation. The use of ICT has a dual purpose in Tanzania’s development goals: education on the use of ICT will increase capacity; and the use of ICT itself will facilitate the expansion of ICT in education. Outside of the actual education aspect of ICT, ICT will be useful in the social, economic and political development and dissemination of information nation-wide. The GOT intends to encourage and support ICT use throughout all education sectors, boost qualified ICT professionals, and provide incentives for advancing ICT capacity.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The GOT recognises that prior to ICT development occurring, a suitable legal and regulatory framework must be established. As such, the GOT intends to establish an enabling legal framework that is aligned with the constitution, legislative and regulatory environment, and regional and international standards. Furthermore, the GOT recognises the cyber-crime threat and intends to ensure an appropriate level of digital security.

Productive Sectors (manufacturing, agriculture, mining)

Tanzania’s economy is dependent on the producing sectors. The GOT is dedicated to meeting the needs and requirements of industry. The government’s desire to expand the economic impact of ICT in development will involve fostering enterprise and innovation through an appropriate economic environment.

Service Sectors

Although the service sector incorporates several industries and human resources sectors, the GOT specifically intends to highlight the cross-cutting nature of this sector and ICT. The GOT intends to: establish a conducive environment for secure e-commerce transactions; encourage ICT in financial services; enhance efficiency and continuity; develop and provide a national e-health system; and encourage e-tourism and cyber cafes.

Public Services

The facilitation of e-government services is essential to the efficient and effective dissemination and protection of data and service delivery throughout the nation. The GOT intends to lead by example; it intends to illustrate to both the public and the private sector the utility and benefit of ICT and digital services. The government understands that service delivery outside of traditional service centres will increase the ability for public access to information.

Local Content

Due to the increased importation of ICT and data, the GOT recognises the importance of balancing the importation of foreign influences with the creation and protection of local cultural values. To achieve balance, the GOT intends to: support the creation and development of ICT material; encourage local content development; promote the inclusion of schools in local multi-media development; and promote local content for electronic activities/services.

Universal Access

The GOT wants to ensure universal access for all sectors of society. Of concern is the digital divide between access in urban/rural and national/international relations. The GOT intends to: promote literacy while building universal access; promote and provide ICT to increase productivity and opportunities; develop peer-to-peer grassroots information sharing; and create private public partnerships to enhance access to services.