On Monday, 20th of January 2014 Buni space in cooperation with the Mobile Monday team organized a Mobile Monday session with the theme “Status of Mobile and Online Payment in Tanzania”

The Percentage of M-Pesa users is 53, while Tigo Pesa and AirTel money is 18 and 13 respectively.

The facts of Mobile Payment systems in Tanzania, opening the discussion during the session, Vodacom Tanzania Head of e-commerce operations Mr. Franklin Bagalla talked about the scope and the opportunities that comes with the mobile payment systems in Tanzania and the necessity of the systems. Mr. Bagalla shared the story of M-Pesa Tanzania and how they are changing lives. According to him M-Pesa is all over Tanzania and it has been among the major sources of financial inclusion, giving the poor the opportunity to be involved in the formal financial sector of Tanzania. He believes with all the opportunities that comes with mobile money we should be able to exploit more by creating a “cashless society”. He talked about the future plan of M-Pesa, which is, to give values to the users to make them be able to purchase not only consumer services but also commodities with their mobile phones.

The statistics shows, mobile money have created jobs to thousands of Tanzanians who got commissions by transforming cash into digital values. The so called “wakala” the merchants are believed to be the most important group in the mobile money systems value chain, according to Mr. Bagalla.

Audience of the Mobile Monday Dar
 session last Monday listening to
 the speaker at Buni Space.

From the presentation “The facts of Mobile Money Tanzania” by me (the article writer), using the report of Kevin Donovan in World Bank (InfoDev)  journal “Mobile Money for Financial Inclusion”, roughly one billion people have access to mobile phones but no bank accounts. In developing countries half of the households lack account with financial institutions but they have mobile phones. This shows the necessity of stable mobile money systems in growing economies.

The challenges, one of the biggest challenge so far was getting the mobile service companies to interact and work with local developers to create more values to the mobile money systems. Mr. Bagalla agreed on this, he said, we haven’t yet utilized mobile money systems to its potential as per my presentation (article writer) on three possible opportunities in any mobile payments system (Mobile Finance, Mobile Payment and Mobile Banking). Most of the mobile money users in Tanzania use mobile money for only making payment for services and checking banking transactional records. There is still a lot of opportunities from the industry to create business in stuffs like savings, insurance and credit. Even though there was a tough discussion on the willingness of the mobile companies to work with startups companies to achieve this. Individuals from the meeting complained most of digital business and online transaction systems in Tanzania fails due to lack of support from the mobile companies. Some individuals questions, if there was a conflict of interests between banks, mobile companies and local entrepreneurs and how they can work together to increase efficiency and productivity.

The future of Mobile Money in Tanzania, Mr.Gustav Vermaas, Managing Director of Smart Banking Solutions Limited Company explained, according to him he does not see any competition in the mobile money business in Tanzania, the only competition is between the digital money solutions against cash ownership culture of Tanzanians. He said the market is still vast for any new incumbent on the business to exploit. Smart banking solutions companies are coming with their smart cards that will allow individuals to pay and purchase almost anything from the market and creating the cashless society in few years to come. He explained about their pilot projects and the success stories and how they are going to expand their business. The audience was eager to know how will the company be able to change the culture of the people, he asked if people can share experience few years ago when mobile money was starting to get attention from developing countries and compare with the current situation and finishing by saying, “anything is possible”.

The session ended by application demos from Benedict Tesha, Jamaa Technologies showcasing his application, Jamaa Pay and Eric Mutta talking about Minishop systemthe product to help local SMEs and businesses to track records and improve efficiency. it was another great Mobile Monday session.

Do you have an idea for how to improve children's lives?

The application period for 2013 is now open. The deadline for submitting applications is 11:59 pm on November 29th.

Then you can apply to the Tigo Reach for Change Program. If selected you will receive financial support (beginning with seed funding of $25,000 in Year 1) as well as coaching from experienced business people to help you turn your idea into a sustainable venture.

The criteria they are looking for includes:

• Be innovative, creative, and fresh.
• Be early-stage or ready to grow.
• Be something doable, clear and focused.
• Have potential for great social impact, being able to improve the lives of children (up to 18 years).
• Have potential to be system changing. By system changing, we mean ideas that can create long-lasting change for many children by changing the system which is either causing the problem, or restricting or limiting its solution. System change takes time, but is the ultimate strategic goal of all the ideas which we bring into our Incubator
• Be scalable. Ideas which have the potential to improve the lives of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of children.
• Have a sustainable financing plan. You should be able to explain to us how you intend to generate revenue to finance the delivery of your idea in a way that minimizes the risk of the social impact stopping due to running out of money

The person we are looking for (you!) must have: - Entrepreneurial skill, such as being result-driven, goal oriented, pragmatic and flexible - Leadership skills; able to inspire other and get people involved - A passion for improving the lives of children - You must also be the leader of the organization established to bring this idea into reality. For More Details follow this link.

The Information has been provided with Tigo reach for change Team.

One of the winner of "Miliki Biashara Yako" promotion

A COUPLE of weeks ago, Elias Hamisi Mbamo (47), received a weird phone call from an unknown number. A resident of Tabora region, western part of Tanzania, he was not sure of the intention of the other guy speaking to him over the phone.

It was around 1pm local time, he remembers. The guy asked me a lot of questions before telling me that I have won, the tri-cycle commonly known as Bajaj through the ongoing "Start Your Own Business" win a Bajaj promotion by a local mobile phone company operator known as Tigo.

A once in a lifetime opportunity in mid July this year landed on the feet of Tigo subscribers in the country where they can win an auto rickshaw, popular as Bajaj, through a lucrative promotion.

At the launching of the promotion dubbed 'Start your own business', Mr Mpinga was quoted to have said that 60 auto rickshaws had been

issued for a competition to run through eight weeks.

Tigo Tanzania wanted to change the lives of Tanzanians through that they have recognised the importance of Bajaj in improving the lives of Tanzanians and its aim was to enrich and impact peoples' lives, he said.

"We believe that this promotion will give our customers another reason to smile where 60 lucky winners each will walk away with a brand new Bajaj that they can use to start their own businesses," he said.

Mr Mpinga said that Bajaj transportation was a lucrative business where the owner makes a conservative figure of 25,000/- to 30,000/- per day earning him around 900,000/- a month and roughly 10.8m/- a year.

Tigo customers stand a chance to win one Bajaj every day by recharging with 1000/- on a daily basis and this doesn't have to be in lump sum as long as by the end of the day, it credit totals 1000/-.

"I thought someone was playing pranks on me. How could a man living in Tabora, more than 460 miles from Dar es Salaam, win a promotion by a mobile phone company? "You know, I thought that promotion like these were for people who live in major towns like Dar, Arusha, Mbeya, Tanga, Mwanza and the likes. Not for us who live so far away from the centre of attention.

"But they called again, on another day and asked if I had any document verifying that I am the real Elias Hamisi Mbamo. They wanted to be sure of that and I told them I did have them.

Tanzania DailyNews 

Prof Makame Mbarawa

EAST, Central and Southern African states have been challenged to utilise information and communication technology (ICT) services to achieve social and economic development.

The Minister of Communication, Science and Technology,

Prof Makame Mbarawa made the challenge yesterday during the Connect to Connect Summit in Dar es Salaam, noting that the use of ICT services will help facilitate service delivery in all sectors for economic growth.

"The use of ICT services will help to build a well informed and knowledge-based society," he said.

He said the government has invested dearly in construction of National ICT Broadband Backbone with a view to achieving its vision of making the country a hub of ICT infrastructure and solution, thus transforming Tanzania into knowledge-based Society.

"The initiatives came with a view of reducing poverty and accelerating socio-economic development in the country and across the region," Prof Mbarawa said.

He added that Tanzania has good strategic and geographic position linking it with the Indian Ocean Sub-marine cables at the landing points in Dar es Salaam for international connectivity to neighbouring countries.

He mentioned countries which have been connected to Tanzania NICT Backbone as Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia and talks were at advanced stage to connect South Sudan and Mozambique.

TTCL Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kamugisha Kazaura, said that the National ICT Broadband has enabled the country in the transformation from analogue to digital systems with quality and improved services.

"We expect all regions in the country to get digital broadcasting services after switching off the analogue system," he said.

He said his company was committed to ensure that new technology is widely used in telecommunications sector by providing more employment opportunities and boost fast internet penetration.

Earlier, Sudanese Minister for Science and Communications, Dr Eisa Bashari Mohamed Hamid said the summit has helped them to learn and share experience with Tanzanian government on transformation from analogue to digital broadcasting.

"My government is in final stages of talks with Tanzania on connecting Sudan to the Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone," he said.

The summit attracted participants from eight countries from East, Central and Southern Africa where the summit main theme was ìDiscuss and Explore the use of ICT for Socio-economic Development.

Dailynews Tanzania

If you are business developer and you want to start something in East Africa,I can say that you are in good position to see your brand  exciting  the industries since the region is the best place for business progress due to the fact that it gives room for both production and market at instant.Wheather you are in Kenya,Rwanda,Uganda,Burundi or Tanzania,the environment are supportive to productions an market since the governmental regulations favor business development.

Many industries are good to get into but it is only depend on   how your solution is uninique and can adapt with changes and time.Among the growing industries are telecommunication,Travel,Electronics,Biotechnology and so many others that are used in the first world can be introduced into East Africa.

I would like to introduce you on the best industries that can hold the best future in East Africa.These are:

Internet and software apps;
The have been an increase in the needs of softwares for both public and private organizations which aim to solve different problems that interact with almost the whole mass of users in East Africa and can be well profitable if the business focus is consistent.

Agriculture  and Biotechnology;
The demands for foods have been increase both within and the global at large,this means that we can take part in any corner of the industry and come with successiful business if and ony if we have awesome business strategy.

Related post:


The above industries are among profitable one in East Africa .As the part of interest if you are intending to solve any globe problem you can start from here.

Prize will be Awarded to Entrepreneurs and Innovators who Deliver Market-oriented Solutions for African Development
 

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, July 30, 2013/ -- The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) announced the call for entries for the 2014 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). The prestigious Prize, presented annually since 2012, aims at encouraging innovations that contribute to sustainable development in Africa. The winning submission will be awarded a prize of USD 100’000, with two additional USD 25 000, one for the runner up with an innovation with the best business potential and the other one for the runner up with the innovation with the best social impact.

In an effort to drive African-led development, the IPA invites African entrepreneurs and innovators to propose projects that unlock new African potential under one of five categories which include: 1) agriculture and agribusiness; 2) environment, energy and water; 3) health and wellbeing; 4) ICT applications; and 5) manufacturing and services industries.

“The IPA team believes that the best way to build Africa’s capacity is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship.  This prize encourages Africans to develop creative ways to overcome everyday challenges,” said AIF founder Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais.

The IPA 2013 was awarded to South Africa’s AgriProtein for its innovative approach to nutrient recycling – a method that uses waste and fly larvae to produce natural animal feed.  The 2013 prize also recognized two additional winners for their contributions to African innovation.  In the business potential category, Hassine Labaied and Anis Aouini from Saphon Energy (Tunisia) received USD 25 000 for creating a bladeless wind convertor.   In the social impact category, Sanoussi Diakite (Senegal) received USD 25 000 for developing and distributing a thermal powered machine that husks 5 kilograms of fonio – an important and healthy West African cereal – in just 8 minutes.  This innovation increases accessibility to a nutritious African staple food source and addresses challenges associated with its consumption.  

With more than 1350 applications received to date, the IPA aims to support Africans’ efforts to develop new products, increase efficiency and drive cost-savings on the continent. The IPA also provides a platform for African innovators to showcase their solutions to potential investors and seek partners to scale up their marketable concepts. Only innovations by Africans and for Africans are eligible to enter. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa.

The registration deadline for the 2014 prize has been set for 31 October 2013. For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission procedures, please visit www.innovationprizeforafrica.org and review the detailed call for application prior to applying.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA).

Overview Tanzanian Employment Sector

          One thing you learn when dealing with 200 college graduate and college students everyday is that a lot of effort has to be done by our colleges to improve the qualities of our graduates in order to help them fit in the tough corporate environment.

               As a trainee manager of the innovation space i interact with different universities and colleges students throughout Dar es Salaam and Tanzania in general. From my experience there are lot of challenges facing these students. Most of these challenges make them weak to survive in the tough job competition and in the corporate world because they are not prepared to handle the the challenges.

                “ Why the big private companies hire people from abroad ?” that is the question i receive most of the time when discussing with graduates about the Tanzanian education system. Sometimes the issue is not the education system but the students themselves, the few mistakes that students should avoid includes;

                 Writing a CV instead of preparing it, most of the graduate fail to understand CV is not something you prepare over the night, CV is something you build throughout your educational career as a student. Most of the students who take part in college campaigns, leadership programme and volunteering activities are so likely to be hired compared to those who not. These activities help them for capacity building and hand on working skills that help them to survive in the job market.

                 Focusing on GPA, instead of building working skills most of our local graduates compete on who scores the better GPA. It is inevitable that someone has to score good GPA but there is something that is more important than GPA that most of the company prefer, which is working skills. Most of the companies don’t have time to invest in teaching freshers on how to work and be efficient member of the organization, instead they will hire someone who have the working skills ready with him. Someone who can work in team and understand a bit of their operations.

                 Locked within the walls of syllabus, the syllabus is just the guide but not the rules. A smart student will always try to understand what is happening outside the scope of the syllabus. The student can not allow the syllabus to control is learning abilities. In the fast changing technology world you can’t allow yourself to be confined within the walls of your rigid syllabus and hoping you can compete with student from abroad whose syllabus is always changing with the rate of changing in technology.

                 Project and research, how are you going to become competent if the only time you do project or research on something is when you are instructed to do so by your lecturer or supervisor. If you can’t even spend some time trying to understand the problems facing your local communities and thinking for solutions, how can you be benefited with your knowledge. Research and projects is what makes students competent that is why world class colleges invest a lot of time in making sure students focus on projects and research.

                    Failing to practice from the very beginning, most of the students don’t understand practicing is the only way to make things perfect. How do you expect to become a leader if you have never done a single public speaking session ? These skills are built with time, many mistakes will be made in the beginning but as you moving you become more expert and more confidence is built in you. I will invest my money on a student who spend a lot of time to do different  extracurricular activities that fit his or future career than who does not.

                    Internet is there for entertainment only, 50 percent of IT tips and tricks i use today in my daily office activities i learnt them from YouTube. Over 80 percent of unresolved IT tasks that i got the solution is coming from the web. Internet is the only weapon someone can use to attain the same knowledge and level of challenges that students from abroad is receiving but most of Tanzanian students will use internet to do unnecessary staffs. The site like coursera or edx they are great sources of high end knowledge and latest courses offered in the most reputed universities and colleges in the world, but very few of the Tanzanian students uses them.

                  Choosing role models and mentors, if until right now you don’t know what you want to be then you are in big trouble. Finding proper role models and mentors in our communities is not a simple task but still you have every reason to have one. Someone whom you can sit down and discuss with him about your career and your plans and expect good and professional advice from him. Most of the students ended hating their career options since they can’t even figure out what can they do after they graduate.

Failing to understand what they want, What you are doing right now is really what you want? We don’t expect you to perform hundred percent or offer your maximum efficiency level to something you don’t like. Don’t choose a course because everyone is taking it, take a course since you enjoy doing it. In the end it will be very easy for you to committed and dedicated to the course since its something you like to do.

        Value of time, It happens everywhere in the world everyone want to enjoy his/her college days, its not a problem, but remember we have different education systems and their education system favors them to do different kind of stuffs while they can still perform well in the class. For Tanzanian students time is very valuable and if you can’t manage it well. You will ended up losing everything.Its better you spend your free time learning new ideas, getting involved in project and do sideways courses to build your CV.

Choosing the right team,  They say “show me your friends and i will tell you who you are”. Most of the time we form friends in colleges because we use to know each other from the past either high school mates, neighbours at home or your fathers are friends. At the college level you really need to work out your methods of finding friends. Find friends who can build your skills, your confidence, motivate you and challenge you towards success. Choose friends who will help you to see opportunities as they come and guide you throughout positive behaviour skills.

Tech360 Correspondent

TANZICT  in collaboration with DTBi through their business incubation program with Raphael Kingazi, have developed a mobile & web-based accounting software called COMASI for Tanzanian small businesses, and now the system is online and ready for the first users and customers!


"COMASI is an easy to use accounting software made for small businesses activity. This system will help you to record all your business transactions, make calculations and prepare all necessary business reports from accounts like sales, purchase, expense, stocking and final statement like loss and profit account. This system will help you to connect all your business at one point where you can follow up with all activities happened at your business location at anytime , anywhere."

By starting using COMASI you get the following:

1. Time Saving.
   As for any businessman time management is very important. COMASI enables you to track  business transactions as they occur everyday removing unnecessary time consumed during accumulated accounting calculations. That is achieved by:
   • Automatic Stock Management.
   • Purchases Management.
   • Sales Management.
   • Expenses Management.
   
   
2. Security.
   COMASI is made with latest technologies with high security that help on protecting your data . That include encryption and daily backup of all essential information from your account. With COMASI no loss or leak of data.
3. Real Time Accounting.
   You can access your account information at any point in the world and thus we say "We bring your business wherever you are!"
4. Accounting On A Go.
   Now you can use COMASI on your smartphone or tablet enabled browser. COMASI tested and work fine on the following devices android smartphone and tablets,iPhones and iPad,Nokia Smartphone and blackberry.

You can sign up for a free 30 day trial period, and after that usage will cost 5000 Tsh per month. If you or any of your friends or relatives has a small business selling commodity goods and in need of simple stock, expenses, purchases and sales management, please have a look and spread the word. You can read more from the website or contact Raphael for more information via info@comasi.com.

By the end of the last decade, and  Begin  of the new one we owe,the ICT companies have been largely increasing in number in other parts of the globe and specifically in Africa.Even though as the number increasing,the problems are not going to stop as we always facing daily challanges especially in innovation of the new technology which is the mother of development.

It is said that most employers underutilize the creativity of their employee hence fail to capture their fertile ideas into their companies.The major reason for these can be;lack of time,absence of effective processes to manage all the ideas and the fear to demotivate the employees when ideas rejected.

Encouraging ideas is the core management task,as the curreant existing business demand great attention;stimulating the ideas is the core task in leadership,this also fascinate and endorse the organizational creativity unwillingly.

With fast changing market challanges,demand customers and smart competitors,we need new ways to innovate and raise the new challanges.Being more creative is our only way to become resilient in time of Change and   Crissie will secure our sustainable success,therefore stimulating and harvesting creativity shall be our strategic priority.

-Jordan Kalyembe

Vodacom Tanzania says that the number of people signed up to its mobile money transfer service M-PESA has broken the five million barrier, while total monthly transactions now stands at TSZ1.3 trillion (USD823.3 million). The figures compare favourably to 4.5 million subscribers and USD622 million in transactions when the carrier released its last M-PESA update in February this year.

The mobile operator recently announced investment of TZS250 billion in expanding and improving its networks across the country, and has now announced the signing of an agreement with a number of local financial institutions which is designed to spur e-commerce in Tanzania. According to the firm’s press release, Vodacom Tanzania has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Microfinance Bank (NMB),CRDB Bank, Standard Chatered Bank, Tanzania Postal Bank (TPB) Bank of Africa-Tanzania (BOA Tanzania), Akiba Commercial Bank (ACB) and AMANA Bank, that will allow its customers to use M-PESA services to access their bank accounts for financial transactions. Further, a tie-up with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) enables M-PESA customers to withdraw money from their M-PESA accounts through DTB’s nationwide network of ATMs, giving customers 24/7 access to their cash.

telegeography.com

TV whitespaces are playing an increasingly important role when it comes to providing broadband to emerging market countries. The latest project to use the technology sees Microsoft partner up with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and UhuruOne to provide wireless broadband access to university students and faculty in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

TV white spaces technology provides wireless broadband by tapping into unused portions of wireless spectrum in the frequency bands generally used for television. Although Africa has the highest growth rates in the world for mobile broadband penetration, wireless broadband services remain largely unaffordable throughout the region.

According to Microsoft, this pilot looks to improve that situation by focusing on broadband access in the area of education, “an effort that will increase digital literacy, teach technical skills, advance e-learning and ultimately promote economic growth”.

The pilot’s initial deployment in Dar es Salaam will target the University of Dar es Salaam, among others. “We anticipate that tens of thousands of Tanzanian students and faculty members will be able to take advantage of the wireless broadband packages offered by UhuruOne through the project,” said Dr. Hassan Mshinda, director general, COSTECH.

These packages, says Microsoft, will include a Windows 8 laptop or tablet, wireless broadband connectivity, and applications and services. Its partners are reportedly working with banks to offer small loans to cover the cost of the packages.

In addition to offering affordable connectivity, devices and services, the pilot will hire a team of students as on-campus support staff for the network infrastructure.

This isn’t the first Microsoft project to make use of TV whitespaces. Earlier this year, it launched a similar project in Kenya aimed at bringing broadband to rural areas.

Google meanwhile recently rolled out its own TV whitespaces

 project in South Africa, aimed at low-income schools.

These pilot projects and similar initiatives are part of the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a new series of investments which Microsoft claims are designed to enable it to actively engage in Africa’s economic development and to improve its global competitiveness.

“After announcing our ‘Mawingu’ pilot in Kenya, Microsoft has been flooded with requests from a wide range of companies and governments interested in developing similar projects,” says Paul Garnett, director at Microsoft’s Technology Policy Group. “White spaces technology and efficient spectrum management have a huge potential for expanding affordable broadband access throughout the world. We hope all governments will follow the example of forward-looking countries like Kenya, Tanzania and many others that have taken steps to support deployment of white spaces technology.”

memeburn.com

Zantel Tanzania, has announced the appointment of Mr. Pratap Ghose as their new Chief Executive Officer filling the position which previously used to be owned by Mr. Ali Bin Jarsh, who led the company for two years.

Mr. Pratap used to work with Etisalat as the group Vice President, handling Etisalat activities in the African Region.With over 18 years of experience in Business Optimization and finance he is considered to be the wright person to fill the gap. Also at some point of time he used to work as Chief Financial Officer for Millicom's International (Tigo) in Tanzania

Tech360 Correspondent 

 
THE government has warned that stern measures will be taken 

 against people who use mobile phones and other types of social media to incite conflicts and go against the country's customs and norms.

The Minister for Communications, Science and Technology,

Prof Makame Mbarawa, said in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that the government has decided to take action because the abuse has been alarming.

"Strict measures will be taken against all individuals or companies who will abuse the government and its leaders; religious, political leaders and individuals," he said.

He added that such measures will be directed towards people showing pornographic pictures, child defilement and giving out information that seek to disturb the country's peace and tranquility.

"It is just few people who misuse mobile phones, email and other social media channelsÉ the law will catch up with this group wanting to destroy our nation," he said. The minister noted that despite the fact that technology has helped bring about development in recent years in the country; there are few people who use ICT negatively and that the government will not sit aside watching as things go awry.

Prof Mbarawa said there were reports of people using ICT to accomplish evil things such as banditry, rape, drugs, prostitution and releasing private information without concert of people involved. "We will not tolerate thisÉ we will work with other government agencies to stop this for the good of our country," he said.

Also, he said that any agent or a telephone company which will sell a sim card to any person without a recognized identity card will be liable. He said that it is a crime for a person to provide wrong information during sim card registration and that the government will switch off all unregistered sim cards as required by law.

Daily News Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. Exploiting the creativity of young Tanzanians will turn them into millionaires.That can be achieved if sufficient funding is extended to the national ICT business programme.While the demand on ICT business incubator project is growing, the financial resources are still slim causing the project to depend more on foreign support, according to project’s Finance and Administrative manager Makange Mramba. The project is managed by the Commission for Science and Technology Tanzania (Costech).

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday,

he said that the country could create many youth millionaires only if more funds were to be channelled to the incubator.

“We could have so many Bill Gates in the country ... Rwanda is doing very well in the ICT sub-sector,” he said.

Mr Mramba said already some youth -- who have established a firm known as Digital Brain, which developed a software for selection of university students -- have already started receiving orders from other parts of Africa.

“Theirs is the first software in Africa, which is being used by Tanzania Commission for Universities,” he said.

According to him, the government of Sudan has applied for it, meaning that it would bring them money, and open up further opportunities for them.

Explaining the financial status, he said the World Bank recently funded $350,000 (Sh560 million), while the government had been setting aside $60,000 through Costech.The national ICT business incubator project has 35 beneficiaries, out of them 20 are individuals and 15 are companies formed by Tanzanians, according to him.

One of beneficiaries of the project, BR Solutions offers SMS services known as Hudum Fasta for provision of information on such assets for sale as houses, plots, motor vehicles, as well as job opportunities and information on bank loans.

At a recent ICT trade fair, organised by Costech, the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Billal, challenged stakeholders and Costech to advice the government on the strategy to improve ICT-related businesses in the country.

Formed in 2008 the ICT business incubator has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tanzania Investment Bank and Dar es Salaam Community Bank for provision of ICT business loans, according a Costech report.

Apart from financial constraints, ICT experts say that the sub-sector was facing other hurdles including low public awareness, weak human resource development and outdated law on ICT.Assistant lecturer of ICT and development at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr Hezron Makundi, said that there was an urgent need to review the 2004 ICT Act because it is outdated.

According to Mr Makundi, although Tanzania had an ICT Policy since 2003, the country has no specific legal framework to address the development and use of the sector.He calls for enactment of effective cyber-laws to address related issues such as crime, data protection and electronic transaction.

The Citizen Tanzania