Tanzania seeks to make digital access more affordable
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily News
Tanzania wants to accelerate the rollout of affordable digital connectivity by working with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, development partners and the private sector. The government cites high costs, limited access to electricity and low profitability in remote areas among the main obstacles, Daily News reports.
The Tanzanian government wants to make digital services more affordable and extend coverage to underserved populations, said Florent Mtuka, acting director of communications at the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, during a national consultation in Dodoma on 20 October. He was speaking on behalf of the permanent secretary, Daily News reports.
Mtuka cited high deployment costs, a dispersed population, a lack of electricity infrastructure and uncertain profitability among the obstacles to expanding connectivity. He called for the development of public-private partnerships, concessional financing and infrastructure sharing to reduce costs and attract investment.
The four-day consultation is being held as part of the IDEA programme, which focuses on inclusive digitalisation in East and Southern Africa. Discussions include financing models, lower-cost connectivity solutions and integrated planning for digital infrastructure.
Leonard Chitundu, representing the COMESA telecommunications office, said millions of people in the region remained offline because of costs, a lack of coordination and investment shortfalls. A study led by Salience Consulting, with technical coordination by COMESA, is expected to help countries identify underserved areas and better direct investment. The programme also plans to use geospatial data to avoid duplication of infrastructure.
