Dar es Salaam - Dr. Stergomena Tax, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation has officially launched the Diaspora Digital Hub (DDH) system in Tanzania. The system, developed by Tanzanian ICT experts and funded by NMB Bank, CRDB Bank Plc, and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), aims to provide valuable information to the Tanzanian government and facilitate diaspora access to opportunities in the country.
During the launch event, Mr. Filbert Mponzi, Chief of Retail Banking at NMB Bank, highlighted the bank's commitment to developing tailor-made products to meet the specific needs of Tanzanians residing abroad. He stressed the significant role played by the diaspora in the nation's development process.
"We are delighted to witness the launch of this project today, which is a result of NMB Bank's support through a Memorandum of Understanding signed last August, with a contribution of 100 million Tanzanian shillings," Mr. Mponzi announced.
The Diaspora Digital Hub will serve as a comprehensive database for all Tanzanians living abroad. NMB Bank has also established a dedicated department to cater to the interests and requirements of the diaspora community, showcasing its commitment to providing exceptional banking services.
James Bwana, the Permanent Secretary Ambassador of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation emphasized the practicality of the DDH system. He stated that it would not only facilitate the tracking of essential information for Tanzanians in the diaspora but also enable them to access various services within the country, including banking, finance, and NIDA services.
"This hub will assist Tanzanians living abroad in identifying investment opportunities available in their home country," Mr. Bwana added.
The launch of the Diaspora Digital Hub received praise from Vita Kawawa, Chairperson of Tanzania's Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security, who recognized it as a positive step forward.
Minister Dr. Stergomena Tax highlighted the increasing contribution of the diaspora to Tanzania in recent years. She explained that the establishment of a unified hub was necessary as each embassy previously maintained separate databases, leading to challenges in service delivery.
In 2022, diaspora remittances to Tanzania reached 1.1 billion US dollars, a significant increase from the 569.3 million US dollars recorded in 2021. The government and participating banks view the launch of the Tanzania Diaspora Digital Registration System as a significant milestone that will enhance services for the diaspora community.
"We, at CRDB Bank Plc, take pride in being part of the success of this system. We believe it will greatly improve services for the diaspora," stated Mr. Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela, Managing Director of CRDB Bank.
The Diaspora Digital Hub system is expected to bring numerous benefits to both the Tanzanian government and the diaspora, promoting closer connections, improved service delivery, and increased opportunities for investment and development in the country.