Dodoma. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the private sector in a bid to accelerate the growth of the digital economy, enhance innovation, attract investment and create employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
The minister for Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angela Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki, made the remarks on February 26, 2026 while chairing a working session between the ministry and private sector stakeholders held at the ministry’s offices in Mtumba Government City, Dodoma.
The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning the development of the communications and information technology sector, as well as strategies to reinforce public-private partnerships aimed at fostering digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.
Addressing participants, Ms Kairuki said the Ministry continues to implement the National Space Programme, in line with the vision articulated by the President Samia Suluhu Hassan on February 8, 2022, for the government to own its own satellite to address persistent communication challenges, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
“We expect that, through close cooperation between the Government and the private sector, this programme will significantly contribute to the expansion of the digital economy and the overall socio-economic development of the country,” she said.
She further noted that the ministry is strengthening the protection of Critical Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure (CII) in accordance with the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, adding that guidelines for the formal designation of such infrastructure are at the final stage of approval.
Ms Kairuki emphasised that safeguarding critical digital infrastructure is essential for ensuring information security, system resilience and the continuity of essential services.
She urged sector stakeholders to work closely with the Ministry in protecting and developing this infrastructure, describing it as a shared national responsibility.
She underscored the importance of strong collaboration between the government and the private sector in implementing the National Digital Economy Strategy, describing such cooperation as a catalyst for innovation, investment and job creation.
She also revealed that the ministry, in partnership with stakeholders, is preparing the Digital Economy Satellite Account (DESA) to accurately measure the contribution of the ICT sector to the national economy.
To enhance service accessibility, Ms Kairuki encouraged telecommunications service providers to adopt infrastructure sharing through co-location and the National Roaming framework, in order to expand network coverage while avoiding unnecessary duplication of resources.
“By working together, we must ensure that by 2030 no part of the country remains without communication services. Our goal is to achieve ‘zero spots’ nationwide, and I am confident that we shall succeed,” she said.
She added that the Ministry is developing Guidelines for Smart Construction of Communications Infrastructure to ensure that network development adheres to high standards of quality, safety, durability and shared usage, thereby promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Furthermore, she called on stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry in transforming Mtumba Government City into a model smart city, fully integrated with ICT solutions, describing the initiative as a historic opportunity for Tanzania to demonstrate its technological capability and innovation potential.
In her closing remarks, Ms Kairuki reaffirmed the Government’s determination to continue investing in the communications and information technology sector in partnership with the private sector, with the aim of ensuring that all Tanzanians have access to reliable, secure and affordable digital services.
“It is our collective duty to ensure that the communications and information technology sector becomes a cornerstone of our national development, secure, innovative and sustainable,” she said.
