DAR ES SALAAM: THE Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping Tanzanians with digital skills that will improve their economic well-being and empower them to actively participate in national development.
Speaking over the weekend in Dar es Salaam during the commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day, Minister Silaa stressed that digital technologies have the potential to uplift communities, particularly women and youth, by creating employment opportunities and promoting inclusive economic growth.
“The government continues to invest in building an inclusive digital economy. We want our citizens, especially young girls, to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the digital age,” Mr Silaa said.
“The proper use of ICT can be a transformative tool that enables young people to break free from economic limitations.”
The minister also highlighted the recently launched national education curriculum as a strategic initiative to address the digital divide.
He revealed that a new specialisation, known as PMC (Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science), has been introduced to nurture future tech innovators.
“The goal is to inspire students to dream big and equip them with the tools to tackle various socio-economic challenges,” he added.
Mr Silaa further encouraged educators and training institutions to establish digital clubs to help build students’ ICT competencies.
“We want to create more learning environments where digital creativity and innovation are fostered,” he said.
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Citing the country’s growing digital footprint, the Minister referenced the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)’s latest statistics, which show that, as of March this year, over 49.3 million Tanzanians are internet users and more than 90.4 million SIM cards are active.
“TCRA has done commendable work in encouraging girls to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This is crucial for building a digital economy that is inclusive and sustainable,” Mr Silaa said.
He also urged the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) and TCRA to collaborate in organising future national Girls in ICT Day events, stressing their importance in accelerating digital transformation and raising awareness about the benefits of ICT.
The minister further noted that the government is focused on positioning Tanzania to benefit from the digital economy by rolling out 5G technology in key sectors such as health, education, transport, agriculture, mining and industry.
In his remarks, TCRA Director General Dr Jabir Bakari explained that the event aimed to stimulate innovation among girls and young women, encouraging them to explore careers in ICT and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.
“We have established digital clubs, even at the primary school level. These clubs help increase understanding of ICT, promote the development of tech-based projects and encourage students to use digital solutions to address social and economic challenges,” said Dr Bakari.
He added, “We believe these clubs and training programmes will inspire students to pursue STEM education and achieve their goals.”
