February 2024 in Tanzanian Tech

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Now, let's get started with last month's recap.

Week 1: Feb 1—Feb 3

President Mwinyi met with US health leaders, global investors, and experts to discuss advancements in cancer care across Africa. The meeting focused on plans for a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in Tanzania, designed to serve the Sub-Saharan region.

The Government of Tanzania (GoT) distributed 222 cages and 55 boats to Lake Victoria fishers to increase fish production. GoT wants the fisheries sector to contribute 10% of GDP by 2036 and create jobs in fish processing.

Roundup Link: https://isaim.substack.com/p/this-week-in-tanzanian-tech-jan-28.

Week 2: Feb 4—Feb 10

Airtel Tanzania and Zanzibar Cable Television (ZCTV) partnered to allow ZCTV subscriptions to be paid through Airtel Money.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa issued a strong warning against the misuse of ICT in Tanzania, particularly for activities that put children at risk.

TanzMED received TZS 50 million in funding from the USAID Youth Captain Scaleup Award to improve mental health among Tanzanian youth through its AminaMD platform.

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, with the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), launched a program offering soft loans for fishing vessels and gear, distributing 55 boats worth TZS 2.6 billion.

Smart Africa Group (SAG) began hiring for six positions, with a February 24th, 2024, application deadline. Sahara Ventures, on the other hand, announced 11 technical open roles with a February 15th deadline.

Absa Bank Tanzania invested TZS 1.6 billion in the Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company (TMRC) to increase property loan accessibility.

The Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA) held its second conference focused on financial inclusion as a driver of economic development.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania’s Supplier Development Program began accepting applications for its next cohort of SME participants.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) reported that it registered 526 investment projects in 2023 (an 80% increase from 2022), attracting USD 5.72 billion in capital.

The Strathmore Global Institute (SGI) held its annual conference in Dar It discussed financial inclusion for micro, small, medium, and social enterprises.

Roundup Link: https://isaim.substack.com/p/this-week-in-tanzania.

Week 3: 11–17

BRELA announced plans to review the Company Act, 2002. It will target restrictive sections of the legislation and help improve the business climate in Tanzania.

Dar-based Defender Technologies partnered with Bahwan CyberTek to launch wearable devices for pupils by late June. The devices are designed to enhance the safety and well-being of children at school.

The Vodacom Tanzania Foundation held its first Future Ready Summit (FRS), with over 1,500 attendees discussing tech's role in Tanzania's development. FRS 2024 focused on digital skills, innovation, and female participation in the innovation ecosystem.

Geita Gold Mine Limited (GGML) launched its 2024-2025 internship programme, welcoming 40 interns to gain experience in the mining industry. It aims to boost graduate employability and support Tanzania's mining sector.

Roundup Link: https://isaim.substack.com/p/this-week-in-tanzanian-tech-feb-1117.

Week 4: 18–24

The Tanzania Railway Corporation began trial runs of its new SGR electric train, with passenger services expected to start in July 2024.

Top universities in Tanzania and Finland collaborated on a project to develop expertise and new technologies in geospatial ICT, with potential applications in agriculture, urban planning, and business decision-making.

NEUROTECH AFRICA 's 5th Generative AI Meetup in Dar es Salaam showcased artificial intelligence applications and highlighted the need for accelerated adoption. It featured presentations on large language models (LLMs), AI-powered tools, and machine learning research.

The Ministry of Minerals launched a new initiative to support small-scale miners with geological data, technology, and equipment. TukuTech, a Tanzanian drone startup, is a key partner in the public-private partnership to improve artisanal and small-scale (ASM) mining.

Sahara Ventures' monthly meetup focused on modern leadership principles for startup founders, emphasizing inspiration, self-awareness, and the importance of character for long-term success.

CRDB Bank and the Zanzibar e-Government Agency partnered to launch the Smart Nation and Digital Government Program. The collaboration aims to streamline business processes and expand online payments for greater financial inclusion.

The Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology (MICIT) pledged to update regulations that support digital sound broadcasting (DSB). Hence, potentially expanding audience reach and improving audio clarity in urban areas.

Roundup Link: https://isaim.substack.com/p/this-week-in-tanzanian-tech-feb-1824.

Week 4: Feb 25–Feb 29

20 new ride-hailing startups applied for operating licenses. LATRA has already granted licenses to 19 of these companies, suggesting increased competition (especially for Bolt) and potential cost-savings for consumers.

BizyTech, which develops a digital agriculture solutions platform, received funding from the GSMA Innovation Fund to promote climate-resilient farming. The funding will support their KILIMO BaNDO solution, which offers farmers tools for savings, insurance, agronomic advice, loans, and market access.

Ookla recognized Tigo Tanzania as the nation's "Fastest Mobile Network" of 2023, with a median download speed of 25.6 Mbps. Tigo also operates Tanzania's fastest 5G network (1 Gbps), though access remains limited due to device compatibility.

Roundup Link: https://isaim.substack.com/p/this-week-in-tanzanian-tech-feb-25march.

Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to read!