Tanzania's Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inaugurates a data center in Uganda, bolstering regional connections and ties.

Tanzania's Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inaugurates a data center in Uganda, bolstering regional connections and ties.

In a significant stride towards regional digital integration, Tanzania's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Hon. Jerry William Silaa, recently visited Uganda to bolster ICT sector cooperation between the two East African nations. The visit, which took place over a period of two days, was at the invitation of Uganda's Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.

The purpose of Minister Silaa's visit was to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT/TEHAMA) sector. Key outcomes and collaborations expected from this visit include:

1. Development of a resilient, affordable, and expansive internet backbone leveraging the Tanzania-Uganda corridor, primarily through Kilimanjaro Telecom's new internet route. This aims to boost bandwidth, reduce internet costs, and ensure more reliable connectivity for businesses and consumers across East Africa.

2. Enhancement of last-mile connectivity in Uganda, as Uganda expands its national fiber-optic coverage to all 134 districts. The partnership with Tanzania will address chronic challenges of internet access and high data costs, promoting digital inclusion.

3. Knowledge exchange and regulatory cooperation, with Uganda studying Tanzania’s digital licensing and regulatory practices to implement smarter models that encourage investment and innovation in ICT.

4. Contribution to closing the digital divide and improving digital resilience in the broader East African and Sub-Saharan African region by sharing resources, infrastructure, and regulatory best practices.

5. The operationalisation of the Tanzania-Uganda internet corridor is also expected to enhance competition in the telecom sector in East Africa, leading to fairer pricing and better service quality for end users.

6. This cooperation forms part of a larger regional digital integration effort, with Tanzania being digitally connected to six East and Southern African countries and planning further fiber network extension.

7. These steps align with broader African digital governance goals, including enhancing digital inclusion and sustainability through initiatives like the AfriLabs–African Telecommunications Union (ATU) pact supporting local tech innovation and infrastructure development.

During his visit, Minister Silaa inaugurated a new data center belonging to Kilimanjaro Telecom Co. Limited, which will play a vital role in storing and distributing communications. The data center, located in Uganda, will serve both domestic use within Uganda and for neighboring countries.

Minister Silaa emphasized the critical role of such partnerships for digital revolution in Africa, stating that they are essential for enhancing regional digital infrastructure, improving internet affordability and reliability, and fostering regulatory collaboration. The collaboration may include linking ICT infrastructure, digital marketing strategies, and leveraging technology for inclusive development across the region.

Kilimanjaro Telecom Co. Limited is a key customer of internet services provided through Tanzania's National Communications Network. The visit was a testament to the growing cooperation between Tanzania and Uganda in enhancing ICT infrastructure, aiming to make East Africa more competitive and digitally empowered.

1. Minister Silaa's visit aimed to reinforce technology cooperation between Tanzania and Uganda, focusing on the Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT/TEHAMA) sector, resulting in the development of a technologically advanced internet backbone over the Tanzania-Uganda corridor.
2. The collaboration between the two nations also seeks to enrich regional digital infrastructure through the operationalization of the Tanzania-Uganda internet corridor, which could potentially foster competition, enhance service quality, and lower costs in the technology sector across East Africa.

Read also: