The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and communication service providers to provide vital communication resources at no cost. This pioneering initiative is set to catalyze the growth of digital technology startups and foster creative solutions to address community challenges.
The joint effort represents a concerted move to nurture the burgeoning landscape of digital innovation within the nation, enabling startups to thrive and make positive contributions to society through their technological advancements, according to TCRA Director General, Dr. Jabiri Bakari.
Speaking from Dar es Salaam, Dr. Bakari underscored TCRA's unwavering commitment to this endeavor, aimed at elevating technological innovations across Tanzania. He emphasized TCRA's dedication to equipping various startups with the necessary resources to conduct trials of their services over a specified period.
By June 2023, TCRA had already allocated invaluable resources to four innovative startups. Dr. Bakari urged young entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers to submit their groundbreaking ideas to COSTECH for further development. Effective management of communication resources, including spectrum and numbers, lies at the core of ensuring the availability of crucial communication services such as mobile money services and other essential digital services. Dr. Bakari noted that the allocation of these resources facilitates high-speed internet services, a cornerstone of today's digital economy. Furthermore, Dr. Bakari highlighted the government's ambitious target of providing 80 percent of the population with access to high-speed internet services by 2025.
This underscores the pressing need for innovative minds to capitalize on the opportunity and deliver solutions in areas such as entrepreneurship, agriculture, and transportation. Mary Kigosi, Head of Communications at COSTECH, echoed the significance of collaboration for national progress. She remarked that the partnership with TCRA to provide communication resources to innovators seamlessly aligns with COSTECH's mission to promote community-oriented innovations. Kigosi echoed Dr. Bakari's call to action, urging aspiring innovators, particularly the youth, to seize this unprecedented opportunity and leverage the resources offered by these two government bodies.
TCRA, responsible for regulating Tanzania's Communication Sector, plays a pivotal role in managing essential communication aspects. In a bid to engage with innovators and other stakeholders, TCRA has strategically established offices in crucial regions, including Zanzibar, Arusha, Mbeya, Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, and Mwanza.
This strategic partnership between TCRA, COSTECH, and communication service providers not only holds the promise of propelling Tanzania's digital innovation landscape but also signals a united effort to empower startups and transform them into agents of positive change in society.