In a groundbreaking move towards the digital transformation of the nation and the enhancement of socio-economic services, more than one million individuals across Tanzania are set to experience high-capacity, lightning-speed Last-Mile Internet Connectivity by the year 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Mr. Nape Nnauye, at the launch event of the 41st Administrative Council of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) in Arusha on Tuesday, Engineer Kundo Mathew, the Deputy Minister in charge, conveyed that this initiative is a special endeavor undertaken by the government.
Eng. Mathew addressed the delegates of the PAPU Administrative Council, representing 45 member states and specially invited participants, unveiling that this monumental stride in propagating digital infrastructure in rural regions stems from a deliberate initiative championed by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. Notably, President Hassan allocated 21 billion Tanzanian Shillings last year to materialize the Postcode System—a pivotal infrastructure within the realm of Postal Services.
Distinguished invitees gracing the occasion included representatives from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), East African Communications Organisation (EACO), Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the successful establishment of the Postcode and Physical Addressing System in Tanzania laid the foundation for the development of Fiber to Home, backed by robust Submarine Optic Cables, including one with an impressive capacity of 160 Terabits, inaugurated by President Samia last year.
Eng. Mathew highlighted the profound change that this transformation has ushered in, stating that Tanzanians now enjoy access to diverse social and economic services with rapidity and superlative quality—a departure from the past when they would endure long distances and extended queues to avail services.
"Today people are simply using digital platforms to get various services which they used to labor before getting in the past, like sending and receiving money through mobile phones, buying token for electric power, paying water bills, paying for medical services and on-line purchase of various goods like the one offered through ‘Posta Kiganjani’ app," Eng. Mathew elaborated.
While commending the strides made, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that Tanzania's progress cannot unfold in isolation, particularly in constructing an efficient, digitally enabled Postal Sector that aligns with global trends—a trajectory that has been woven into the very fabric of the continent's Postal Services since its inception.
Eng. Mathew conveyed Tanzania's commitment to supporting the General Secretariat and the entire Union in human resource development efforts and financial assistance, in line with the Host Agreement, to ensure the fulfillment of PAPU's mandate in Africa.
He urged PAPU to stay attuned to market trends as it charts its strategic plans, urging the sector to provide customers with efficient, qualified, secure, and convenient services.
Eng. Mathew also emphasized that PAPU should actively encourage public postal players in Africa to engage in inclusive socio-economic development activities in alignment with the AU Agenda 2063, the Regional Development Plan for Africa, and the PAPU Strategic Plan 2022-2025—emphasizing digitalization to ensure the continent remains aligned with the overarching Abidjan Postal Strategy.
The culmination of the 41st Ordinary PAPU Administrative Council meeting will be marked by the inauguration of PAPU headquarters in Arusha—a shared ownership venture between PAPU and the government of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), with a ratio of 60 to 40 percent.