In a significant move to propel Tanzania's burgeoning digital economy, the Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, has called upon the corporate sector to join forces with the government. This call came during the signing of a strategic partnership between the ministry and NMB Bank Plc in Dar es Salaam, underscoring the government's commitment to fostering a digitally connected economy.
Minister Nnauye highlighted the pivotal role of digital technologies as catalysts for economic growth, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of the sixth-phase government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The government is actively shaping a digitally connected economy by establishing favorable policy and regulatory conditions, along with building supportive infrastructure to drive growth and development.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Nnauye underscored the importance of partnerships with the private sector and other development partners to ensure the success of the ongoing digital transformation. He pointed to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NMB Bank as an exemplary collaboration aligned with the implementation of the Ten-Year (2024-2034) Digital Economy Strategy.
"This partnership agreement between NMB and the ministry is a crucial step in realizing our digital economy vision," noted Mr. Nape, commending NMB Bank for its readiness to embrace digital advancements.
Ruth Zaipuna, CEO of NMB Bank, expressed enthusiasm about the MoU, highlighting its potential to actively contribute to the networked economy and play a constructive role in building a prosperous digital future for Tanzania. She emphasized the agreement as a testament to the enduring good relations between the government and NMB Bank, known internationally for its digital adoption and innovation prowess.
"I strongly believe that this agreement will mark the beginning of a historic journey in the growth and development of the digital economy in our country," stated Ms. Zaipuna.
Under the agreement, the collaborative efforts of NMB Bank and the ministry will focus on designing digital systems, including Jamii Namba for citizens' identification and the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) protocol for customer verification. The aim is to simplify the provision of online services. The partnership will also extend to developing Jamii Data Exchange, a National Enterprise Service Bus connecting public and private sector institutions to create a centralized hub for government online services.
Additionally, NMB Bank and the ministry will collaborate on supporting innovators and entrepreneurs, particularly in the financial sector, through the establishment of innovation hubs by the ministry.
Ms. Zaipuna emphasized the positive impact of strengthening the digital economy on NMB Bank and the entire financial sector in improving the delivery of financial services. She highlighted the bank's substantial investments in advancing the new economy and its close collaboration with authorities in promoting ICT development. NMB Bank has also committed significant resources to nurturing digital talent and enhancing staff expertise in various ICT domains.
Before the signing of the MoU, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Mohammed Khamis Abdullah, highlighted the existing collaboration between NMB and the ministry in various digital development initiatives. These include preparations for the 10-Year Digital Economy Strategy, drafting the new National ICT Policy, and designing the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system.
"The drafting of the ICT Bill has commenced in earnest following the completion of the National ICT Policy 2024, with its approval in the final stages," noted the ministry's top technocrat. This collaboration between the government and NMB Bank marks a significant milestone in Tanzania's journey toward a thriving digital economy.