Dar es Salaam. On a bright Wednesday of this week, within the iconic University of Dar es Salaam’s (UDSM) New Library Conference Hall, the 5th Python Conference (PyCon Tanzania 2024) unfolded with excitement and energy.
The hall buzzed with enthusiasm, as eager minds and passionate tech enthusiasts gathered from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, and even France.
This vibrant space, filled with programmers, developers, and innovators, became the birthplace of ideas that would shape the future of Tanzania’s digital economy.
The room was a microcosm of the digital future — a place where every line of code written had the potential to change the world.
Among the many exciting sessions on display, one stood out: a keynote address delivered by Dr Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, the Director General of Tanzania’s Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC).
As he took the stage, the room fell silent in anticipation.
Dr Mwasaga wasn’t just a figurehead of the government’s ICT strategy; he was the embodiment of Tanzania’s hopes and dreams for a prosperous, digital future.
His words that day carried the weight of the country’s ambitions.
He began with a timeless quote from Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the founding father of Tanzania: “If real development is to take place, the people have to be involved.”
With those words, Dr Mwasaga set the tone for a transformative journey into the heart of the digital economy.
The power of Python
As he spoke, Dr Mwasaga shared his first encounter with Python, a programming language that had captured the attention of developers worldwide.
“The beauty of Python lies in its simplicity and versatility, he said.
He went on to add: “It’s a language that bridges the gap between the theoretical and the practical, and for developers, it’s an empowering tool that enables creativity and innovation.”
He reflected on his own early days working with Python in high-performance computing (HPC) for scientific research.
But for him, Python wasn’t just a tool—it was a key to unlocking the potential of the people.
“Python’s mission to promote a diverse international community of programmers isn’t just about technology; it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility, competence, and humanity,” said Dr Mwasaga.
For him, the digital transformation in Tanzania wasn’t only about coding and innovation; it was about shaping a generation of developers who would contribute to the country’s prosperity.
“The future of Tanzania depends on you—the developers—who will lead the charge in building a digital economy that thrives on innovation, inclusivity, and self-reliance,” he underscored.
A rising digital economy
Dr. Mwasaga painted a compelling picture of the global developer landscape.
“The number of software developers worldwide has been growing at a rapid pace,” he shared, referencing data from global studies.
“The digital economy is expanding, and Africa is catching up fast.”
According to reports, Africa accounted for 14.8 percent of the global developer population in 2023, and Tanzania was beginning to see the fruits of this growth in its own budding tech industry.
But Dr Mwasaga didn’t just focus on the numbers.
He knew that statistics alone wouldn’t fuel the passion of the room.
He spoke about the potential for local developers to lead in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and High-Performance Computing.
For him, these technologies weren’t abstract ideas—they were the tools that would drive Tanzania’s economic growth.
The role of emerging technologies in Tanzania’s future
Dr Mwasaga highlighted three technologies that he believed were critical for the future of Tanzania’s digital economy: AI, Robotics, and HPC.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
He explained how AI had the power to revolutionize various sectors of Tanzania’s economy.
From healthcare to agriculture, AI could improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and increase productivity.
“With Python and libraries like TensorFlow and Scikit-learn, you have the power to build AI systems that can tackle Tanzania’s biggest challenges, from disease prevention to food security,” Dr Mwasaga said.
Robotics
Next, he spoke about Robotics, a field that was already transforming industries worldwide.
“Through tools like Gazebo and ROS (Robot Operating System), developers in Tanzania can design robots for everything from automating agriculture to improving industrial processes,” he said.
“Robots can work in hazardous environments, enhance productivity, and create new industries. Robotics isn’t just for the future; it’s happening now, and it’s time for Tanzania to seize this opportunity.”
HPC
Finally, Dr. Mwasaga addressed the role of HPC in solving complex problems that traditional computing couldn’t handle.
“In fields like climate modeling, resource management, and large-scale data analysis, HPC is essential,” he insisted.
Adding: “With the power of Python, you can harness the capabilities of HPC to solve problems that affect our people, from predicting weather patterns to managing our natural resources more efficiently.”
Building a digital nation
As he looked around the room, Dr Mwasaga saw not just developers but potential change-makers.
“The role of developers is not limited to writing code,” he said.
“You are the architects of Tanzania’s digital future. You are the ones who will build innovative solutions that will propel this country to the top of the continent.”
He shared his vision of a Tanzania that was strong, self-reliant, and technologically advanced.
“Our goal is to be a regional leader in the digital economy. But that vision can only become reality when we all work together—government, industry, and the tech community,” he asserted.
A call to action
The audience was captivated. Developers of all ages and backgrounds felt the weight of the moment.
Dr Mwasaga’s words weren’t just a call to innovate—they were a call to serve the nation.
“Understand the needs of our country, learn how to meet them, and let your work bring glory to Tanzania and Africa,” he urged.
Adding: “You have the tools, you have the talent, and now it’s time to use them for the greater good.”
As the keynote ended, the room erupted into applause. It wasn’t just a speech—it was a vision for a better tomorrow, a vision that could only be achieved through the collective power of Tanzanian developers and the global Python community.
The 5th Python Conference was more than just a gathering of minds.
It was the beginning of something much bigger—a digital revolution in Tanzania, driven by Python, innovation, and the passion of a new generation of developers.
