Dodoma. Tanzania is on the verge of establishing a major manufacturing facility for laptops, which will produce a locally branded model named Tanzanite.
The initiative aims to significantly enhance the country’s ICT sector, particularly in the education system, from primary to secondary schools.
This development was revealed on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, by the director General of the ICT Commission, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, during his presentation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Moshi Kakoso.
Dr Mwasaga said the initiative results from government efforts, through the ICT Commission, to attract investments and promote local production of ICT equipment.
“We are making good progress. The Commission has already visited QuadGen Wireless Solutions Pvt Ltd in Bangalore, India, to assess their capabilities following their expression of interest in establishing a facility to manufacture laptops and smart boards for use in schools,” he noted.
He further elaborated that they were currently in discussions to facilitate a joint venture investment involving SKD (for design) and CKD (for manufacturing) manufacturing facilities in Tanzania. This aligns with the African Union’s vision for the continent to establish ICT manufacturing industries.
The Parliamentary Committee commended the initiative, urging the ICT Commission to expedite its implementation, emphasising the critical role of digital transformation in building a robust economy, particularly by leveraging the youth demographic.
Infrastructure Committee Chairperson, Moshi Kakoso, lauded the efforts, stressing that opportunities like this should not be missed but fully utilised to benefit the country.
“Mistakes were made in the past when investors expressed interest in manufacturing products locally, but they ended up relocating to neighbouring countries. We must ensure this does not happen again,” Kakoso noted.
He underscored the importance of maintaining high standards in the ICT sector.
“The world has changed. We need more specialists. While your ideas are commendable, we urge you to accelerate the implementation of the government’s vision for technological advancement,” he noted.
Kakoso also emphasised the need to empower the youth by equipping them with the necessary skills to drive technological innovation and contribute to the digital economy. “Our young people have not been given enough opportunities. Once equipped with the right skills, they can significantly contribute to technological revolutions and economic growth. We should emulate China, which sent a large number of its youth abroad to acquire expertise, particularly from the United States. Today, China is a global technology leader, reaping the rewards of investing in technology,” Kakoso remarked.
