Tanzania Hosts Subregional Workshop to Advance Inclusive Digital Connectivity in Africa

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has taken a lead role in driving Africa’s push for equitable digital access. This week, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), working with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is hosting the ITU Subregional Workshop for Africa. The three-day meeting, held at the Ramada Hotel from March 24 to 26, 2026, gathers experts from 23 English-speaking African nations to share experiences and strategies for promoting universal and impactful connectivity.

Opening the event, TCRA Director General Jabiri Bakari outlined Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen meaningful access to communication services. He highlighted the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) as one of the main vehicles for extending services to rural and underserved communities. Dr. Bakari noted that Tanzania’s strategy goes beyond improving access—it aims to ensure that digital connectivity delivers real social and economic value to citizens.

Participants include representatives from research institutions, national statistics offices, telecom regulators, universities, service providers, and government ministries, including the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Their discussions focus on developing inclusive policy frameworks, strengthening data collection on connectivity, and ensuring that digital infrastructure supports sustainable development. By hosting this workshop, Tanzania not only reaffirms its commitment to digital inclusion but also positions itself as a regional leader in bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for all Africans to benefit from the digital economy.