Could Kenya's AI Strategy Guide Tanzania?

Welcome to our second weekly wrap of 2025!

Artificial intelligence and public sector digitization dominated last week’s tech moves.

Read on.

1. EdTech Expands Beyond Student Tracking

InfoTaaluma, which already connects 200,000 Tanzanian parents to their children's school data across 253 schools in 12 regions, has launched a new timetable management feature for public schools.

The startup’s latest addition builds on its core platform that digitally manages attendance, exam results, and fee payments.

Its expansion addresses scheduling challenges faced by Tanzania's public schools, where teacher-to-student ratios reach 1:51 in primary schools and 1:22 in secondary schools.

Teachers can now customize timetables to fit subject requirements, class sizes, and room availability.

The app’s user-friendly interface allows schools to reduce the time spent on timetable creation. It leaves more room for learning-focused activities.

InfoTaaluma's growth comes during rising mobile adoption in Tanzania, with 82.6% mobile phone penetration and 31.5% smartphone usage (TCRA, Q2 2024). The platform accommodates both smartphone and basic phone users through its mobile app and SMS features.

The new timetable feature joins InfoTaaluma's existing tools for lesson planning and school administration. It's a major addition for an app that currently serves 4.3% of Tanzania's secondary schools, with potential impact across the country's 19,733 primary and 5,926 secondary schools (TAMISEMI, 2023).

2. Government Seeks Public Input on AI Development Plan

Kenya's Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy (MICDE) has unveiled its draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2030).

Thanks to extensive consultations with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, academia, civil society and development partners like GIZ (the main German development agency).

The strategy envisions Kenya as Africa's leading AI hub for research, innovation and inclusive development.

It rests on three key pillars supported by four enablers.

The first pillar calls for modernizing national digital infrastructure with AI-ready data centers powered by green energy. The second pillar focuses on building strong data ecosystems for AI innovation. The third pillar drives research and development to create localized AI solutions.

Four cross-cutting enablers support these pillars.

A governance framework will guide ethical AI deployment while protecting data privacy. Talent development will promote AI literacy and specialized skills.

Strategic investments from public and private sources will accelerate growth. The final enabler focuses on promoting equitable and inclusive AI development.

The strategy also identifies priority use cases in key sectors. Healthcare will see AI chatbots providing maternal health information in local languages. Agricultural applications include AI-powered fertilizer recommendation systems.

Other focus areas span education, public services, security, small businesses and creative industries.

Implementation will follow a phased approach. Initial steps include foundational investments in policy frameworks and infrastructure, establishing AI research hubs, and creating mechanisms to track progress.

Public consultations on the draft strategy will continue through 2025. The ministry has emphasized including marginalized groups in these discussions to ensure AI benefits reach all Kenyans.

For Tanzania's tech sector, this creates opportunities for regional research collaboration while highlighting the need for similar strategic frameworks to guide AI development.

3. New Huawei Devices Could Reach Tanzanian Market

Huawei has introduced cutting-edge foldable smartphones and audio devices at its "Unfold the Classic" event in Dubai.

As these products enter global distribution, they could expand options for Tanzania's tech-savvy consumers.

The Mate X6 features a 50 MP Ultra Aperture Camera and multi-app display capabilities, running three applications simultaneously. It comes in Nebula Gray and Red finishes.

This device caters to Tanzanians seeking advanced solutions for both work and entertainment.

The nova 13 series offers AI-driven photography tools, including adjustable apertures and zoom telephoto lenses.

Its stylish design and powerful camera make it perfect for social media enthusiasts and creatives.

Alongside that, Huawei launched its FreeBuds Pro 4 wireless earbuds with noise cancellation and lossless audio features.

The company has also announced plans for a green data center and innovation lab, though specific regional deployment details remain unconfirmed.

4. Digital Restrictions Drain EAC Growth

Internet censorship cost Kenya and Tanzania’s economies $76.4 million in 2024, with disruptions affecting online businesses and communications.

Kenya lost $75 million after two major shutdowns. A seven-hour nationwide internet outage during June 25 protests against the Finance Bill cost $4 million. A 21-day restriction on Telegram during national exams led to $71 million in losses.

Tanzania saw smaller but targeted restrictions. A 24-hour block on X (formerly Twitter) in August, following alleged opposition plans to raid police stations, cost $998,898.

And earlier, a 45-day Clubhouse restriction resulted in $357,906 in losses.

Tanzania’s total censorship costs of $1.36 million marked a 50% decline from 2023's $2.8 million figure.

Globally, internet shutdowns increased from 140 in 2023 to 193 in 2024. Despite more incidents, worldwide economic impact fell from $9.13 billion to $7.69 billion - the lowest since 2022.

These disruptions show growing tensions between security measures and digital rights across East Africa.

5. Tanzania’s Labour Market Faces Transformation

The global job market is rapidly changing, and Tanzania needs to adapt.

The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights key trends that will impact the country's workforce, creating both opportunities and challenges.

While traditional sectors like agriculture will remain important, the fastest-growing jobs globally are in technology.

AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Big Data Specialists, and Fintech Engineers are in high demand. Tanzania needs to prioritize developing these skills to ensure its workforce can compete.

The shift to renewable energy, on the other hand, is creating new jobs worldwide.

Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers, and Electric Vehicle Specialists are among the fastest-growing roles. This presents an opportunity for Tanzania to invest in green technologies and create a sustainable economic future.

WEF also warns of a growing skills gap, with 39% of current worker skills becoming outdated by 2030.

Analytical thinking, adaptability, and tech literacy are becoming increasingly crucial. Tanzania must invest heavily in re-skilling and up-skilling initiatives to prepare its workforce.

The report projects that by 2030, just over half of employers (52%) anticipate allocating a greater share of their revenue to wages.

In short, Tanzania’s public and private sectors need to act now. We should prepare our youthful population for the jobs of tomorrow.

Investing in technology and green skills, alongside promoting adaptability and lifelong learning, will be crucial for the country’s economic success in the coming decade.

6. EAC rejects duty-free entry of South African vehicles

The East African Community (EAC) has declined South Africa's proposal to export assembled motor vehicles, textiles, and apparel to the bloc without duties. Instead, the EAC maintains that these imports should incur the standard 35% duty applied to goods produced outside its territory. This decision aims to protect local industries from external competition.

The disagreement is part of ongoing tariff negotiations between the EAC and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), dominated by South Africa. The EAC is cautious about opening its markets to Sacu products, particularly in the automotive and textile sectors, to safeguard domestic industries. Despite the establishment of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), which includes both blocs, consensus on tariff concessions remains elusive.

Under the EAC's revised Common External Tariff (CET) structure, effective from July 1, 2022, finished goods imported into the region are subject to a 35% duty, an increase from the previous 25%. This four-band tariff system imposes zero percent duty on raw materials and capital goods, 10% on intermediate products not available within the EAC, 25% on intermediate products available within the EAC, and 35% on finished products.

7. TikTok Shuts Down in the U.S. After Supreme Court Ruling

TikTok has ceased operations in the United States following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a law requiring ByteDance, its parent company, to divest ownership or face a ban due to national security concerns.

Lawmakers and intelligence agencies fear Chinese government access to user data, claims ByteDance denies.

The app shut down on January 18, 2025, with users seeing a message stating, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” A TikTok spokesperson expressed sadness over the decision and commitment to resuming operations.

President-elect Donald Trump signaled openness to delaying the ban, potentially allowing more time for a ByteDance sale. Meanwhile, users are migrating to alternative platforms like Xiaohongshu (REDnote), which has seen a surge in downloads.

TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as the debate over data privacy and digital security continues.

8. Finding Files on Your Computer Is Easier, Faster Than Ever

Microsoft is rolling out a major upgrade to the search feature on Windows computers.

This new feature uses artificial intelligence to understand what you’re looking for, even if you don’t remember the exact file name.

In the past, you had to type in the precise name, or at least part of the name, of the file you wanted. If you couldn’t remember, you were often out of luck. The new AI search changes all that. Now, you can type in a simple description of what you’re looking for using everyday language.

Imagine you need a presentation you created a few months ago.

Instead of trying to recall the file name, you can now just type something like, “Find the presentation I made about marketing in October 2024.” The AI will understand your request and find the right file. You’ll spend less time searching and more time working.

Currently, the AI search works with common file types like pictures, documents, and spreadsheets. It’s initially available on newer, more powerful “Copilot Plus PCs” with Snapdragon processors.

Microsoft plans to expand this to more computers and even include files stored on OneDrive in the future. They're also adding AI tools to help improve your writing!

This is a big step forward in making computers more user-friendly.

9. Apple loses momentum as Chinese rivals gain ground

In the last quarter of 2024, Apple and Samsung recorded drops in global smartphone shipments due to intensified competition from Chinese brands.

According to IDC, Apple’s shipments fell by 4.1% to 76.9 million units, while Samsung’s declined by 2.7% to 51.7 million units. However, Apple retained its position as the global leader with an 18.7% market share, closely followed by Samsung at 18%.

Chinese manufacturers, including Xiaomi, Vivo, and Huawei, collectively captured 56% of global shipments in Q4—their largest share ever. Xiaomi, in particular, showed the fastest growth among the top brands, with a 15.4% year-on-year increase. These companies continue to focus on affordable devices and innovative features, making them highly competitive in emerging markets like Tanzania.

Apple lost its top position in the Chinese smartphone market, dropping to third behind Vivo and Huawei. With a 17% decline in shipments in China, experts point to the absence of AI capabilities in Apple’s latest models and the growing popularity of foldable phones as reasons for this shift.

What are the implications for Tanzania?

As the global smartphone market evolves, Tanzanian consumers are likely to see increased availability of feature-rich but affordable options from Chinese brands.

With demand for premium devices like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models potentially softening, local retailers may focus on mid-range alternatives that offer great value for money.