Tanzania hosts continental push for inclusive internet governance
More than 1,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond gathered in Dar es Salaam from 29 to 31 May for the 14th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), a platform committed to shaping inclusive and locally driven digital policies in Africa.
Held under the theme 'Empowering Africa's digital future,' the forum took place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. It was convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union, in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
From ministers and parliamentarians to youth leaders, private sector innovators and community voices, participants discussed how Africa can strengthen its role in global digital governance and bridge structural divides in internet access and infrastructure.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Tanzania's Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jerry William Silaa, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He outlined the country's digital transformation efforts, highlighting initiatives such as the Digital Economy Strategy 2024, Jamii Namba (digital ID), Jamii Malipo (interoperable payments), and Jamii Exchange (data sharing framework).
'Tanzania is ready to collaborate with the international community in ensuring that the goals of the World Summit on Information Society, Africa Internet Governance Forum, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and those agreed in the Global Digital Compact are achieved,' said Mr Silaa.
The Tanzanian minister said hosting the forum was 'clear evidence and continuation of our commitment to bring development not only to our citizens but to the African community and the world at large.'
Mactar Seck, chief of the Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation Section at ECA, said Africa has made important progress in connectivity, growing from just 2.1 per cent in 2005 to 38 per cent today, and now leads globally in mobile money transactions. Still, 62 per cent of the population remains offline, and only a small portion of online content is produced in African languages.
Mr Seck called for more investment in digital public infrastructure, stronger local content production, harmonized regulation and better digital skills development, while emphasizing the need to center the voices of youth, women and communities in digital policy.
Youth IGF Tanzania coordinator Millennium Malamla urged leaders to treat young people not just as future decision-makers but as active partners shaping the continent's direction. She highlighted the importance of building innovation ecosystems, expanding access to technology and embedding youth leadership into planning and governance.
Christine Grau, representing the European Union, reaffirmed the EU-AU partnership on digital cooperation. She noted that the EU is investing in Africa's digital backbone through the Global Gateway Initiative, including fibre and satellite infrastructure, to promote open and rights-based digital spaces.
Among those contributing to the dialogue were Chengetai Masango, head of the UN Internet Governance Forum Secretariat, and Michel Toto, UNESCO's country representative in Tanzania. Both underscored the need for inclusive governance frameworks that reflect the continent's diversity and priorities.
Over three days, the forum featured ministerial roundtables and expert workshops on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, universal connectivity, and digital public infrastructure. It also marked the launch of Tanzania's AI readiness assessment report and commemorated the 20th anniversary of the global IGF process.
The gathering concluded with the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which reaffirms Africa's shared commitment to closing digital divides and shaping global digital policy through the Global Digital Compact and the upcoming Internet Governance Forum in Norway.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Tanzania hosts continental push for inclusive internet governance
More than 1,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond gathered in Dar es Salaam from 29 to 31 May for the 14th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), a platform committed to shaping inclusive and locally driven digital policies in Africa. Held under the theme 'Empowering Africa's digital future,' the forum took place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. It was convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union, in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. From ministers and parliamentarians to youth leaders, private sector innovators and community voices, participants discussed how Africa can strengthen its role in global digital governance and bridge structural divides in internet access and infrastructure. The opening ceremony was presided over by Tanzania's Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jerry William Silaa, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He outlined the country's digital transformation efforts, highlighting initiatives such as the Digital Economy Strategy 2024, Jamii Namba (digital ID), Jamii Malipo (interoperable payments), and Jamii Exchange (data sharing framework). 'Tanzania is ready to collaborate with the international community in ensuring that the goals of the World Summit on Information Society, Africa Internet Governance Forum, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and those agreed in the Global Digital Compact are achieved,' said Mr Silaa. The Tanzanian minister said hosting the forum was 'clear evidence and continuation of our commitment to bring development not only to our citizens but to the African community and the world at large.' Mactar Seck, chief of the Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation Section at ECA, said Africa has made important progress in connectivity, growing from just 2.1 per cent in 2005 to 38 per cent today, and now leads globally in mobile money transactions. Still, 62 per cent of the population remains offline, and only a small portion of online content is produced in African languages. Mr Seck called for more investment in digital public infrastructure, stronger local content production, harmonized regulation and better digital skills development, while emphasizing the need to center the voices of youth, women and communities in digital policy. Youth IGF Tanzania coordinator Millennium Malamla urged leaders to treat young people not just as future decision-makers but as active partners shaping the continent's direction. She highlighted the importance of building innovation ecosystems, expanding access to technology and embedding youth leadership into planning and governance. Christine Grau, representing the European Union, reaffirmed the EU-AU partnership on digital cooperation. She noted that the EU is investing in Africa's digital backbone through the Global Gateway Initiative, including fibre and satellite infrastructure, to promote open and rights-based digital spaces. Among those contributing to the dialogue were Chengetai Masango, head of the UN Internet Governance Forum Secretariat, and Michel Toto, UNESCO's country representative in Tanzania. Both underscored the need for inclusive governance frameworks that reflect the continent's diversity and priorities. Over three days, the forum featured ministerial roundtables and expert workshops on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, universal connectivity, and digital public infrastructure. It also marked the launch of Tanzania's AI readiness assessment report and commemorated the 20th anniversary of the global IGF process. The gathering concluded with the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which reaffirms Africa's shared commitment to closing digital divides and shaping global digital policy through the Global Digital Compact and the upcoming Internet Governance Forum in Norway. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
EAC ministers suspend new levies on high-risk products pending review
East African Community finance ministers have suspended the implementation of new levies on lubricating oils, aluminium bars and active yeast, which are considered high-risk products, and referred the taxation proposal to the regional sectoral committee on customs for further analysis. The committee on customs is expected to report back to the finance ministers during the next pre-budget consultations meeting in May next year, according to the resolutions of the meeting by the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 26-30 May. Read: EAC adopts new levies on 'high risk' products to curb unscrupulous tradersThe new rates had been planned to take effect from July 1 this year.'It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Sectoral Committee on Customs for further technical analysis and that the proposed specific duties be deferred pending the outcome of this review,' the report of the meeting states. During its 45th meeting held in November last year, SCTIFI adopted $0.46 per litre as a specific duty rate on lubricating oils so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $0.46, whichever is higher, and $700 per tonne as a specific duty rate on active yeast so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $700, whichever is higher. It also adopted $690 per tonne as a specific duty rate on aluminium bars, rods and profiles so that the rate will be 25 percent or the $ 690, whichever is higher. These duties followed a directive by the ministers of finance during the pre-budget consultations in May 2023 that required member states and the EAC Secretariat to identify high-risk products and assign a specific duty rate to address issues related to under-invoicing and undervaluation. The suspension of the proposed rates is expected to allow Tanzania more time to complete consultations with the relevant stakeholders on the proposed rates. It is also expected to allow the sectoral committee on customs to relook at additional factors such as whether the products are imported from the same country or countries of export and whether the imports occur at or about the same period. Read: Slow progress on harmonising standards affecting EAC tradeDuring the pre-budget consultations last month, Tanzania said that national consultations with relevant stakeholders had been concluded and highlighted the need to address a few outstanding issues before adoption of the proposed specific duty rates. The meeting agreed that a re-analysis should be undertaken to determine the identical nature of the products based on a number of parameters, such as the percentage of aluminium content relative to other metals in the alloy, the proportion of base oil relative to other additives or constituents (lubricating oils) and the material composition of the product (Active yeast). The finance ministers also noted that additional factors such as whether the products are imported from the same country of export and whether the imports occur at or about the same period should be considered. Customs valuation is a major feature and concern of modern customs tariff systems since it is important for assessment of customs duties for purposes of generating revenues or as a means of encouraging and protecting domestic industries. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( James Anyanzwa
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
EU ban on Air Tanzania flights could crush London plan
The European Union's decision to ban all Tanzania-registered aircraft from operating in its airspace has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and cast a shadow over the country's aviation and tourism sectors. Announced on June 3 in the EU's latest update to its Aviation Safety List, the ban cites 'serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight' as the reason for blacklisting all Tanzanian carriers. Suriname was also included on the revised list. While no Tanzanian airline currently operates flights to Europe, the implications of the ban are far-reaching, especially for Air Tanzania's plans to expand its long-haul network. Air Tanzania's dream of launching direct flights between Dar es Salaam and London's Gatwick Airport could have been dashed by the stance taken by the European bloc. The Tanzanian flag carrier had long planned the Gatwick route as part of its broader ambition to expand its long-haul network from Dar es Salaam, which includes routes to Guangzhou, China, and Mumbai, India. The ban, issued by the European Commission's directorate-general for mobility and transport, also applies to the United Kingdom — despite its exit from the EU — as the UK continues to honour aviation safety advisories from Brussels.'Passenger safety remains our top priority. Following a detailed technical assessment, the European Commission has added all air carriers certified in Suriname and Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List due to serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight,' said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Transport.'We urge both countries to address these issues promptly. The Commission stands ready to support their efforts toward full compliance with international safety standards.'The Commission did not specify the exact deficiencies found in the TCAA's oversight or cite any particular safety violations by the affected airlines. While none of the banned Tanzanian airlines currently operate flights to the EU or the UK, the universal ban sets back any plans to enter the market. Air Tanzania, which once flew to Frankfurt, Rome, and Athens, had hoped to re-enter the European market as part of its turnaround strategy. According to its in-flight publication, Twiga Magazine, ATCL had planned to launch direct flights to Gatwick—London's second busiest airport—as early as this year. The airline announced that it had secured three weekly landing slots at Gatwick in June 2024, with plans to operate two flights a week from Dar es Salaam and one from Kilimanjaro. The EU ban now slams the brakes on these plans, casting doubt on Air Tanzania Company Ltd's long-term recovery strategy, which relies heavily on expanding into long-haul and intercontinental markets. The regional market, meanwhile, remains highly competitive, with dominant players such as Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways crowding out smaller carriers. The London route has long been considered a lucrative one. Ethiopian, KQ, Uganda Airlines, and RwandAir all operate direct flights to the UK capital. Air Tanzania joins a list of African national carriers currently banned from the EU: Air Zimbabwe, Congo Airways (DRC), Eritrean Airlines, Air Libya, and Sudan Airways. While the EU updates its Air Safety List regularly, it remains unclear when Tanzanian carriers might be removed, or how long the restrictions will last. Industry analysts say the ban reflects a broader failure in aviation oversight.'It raises questions about TCAA's capacity to enforce safety standards and uphold international regulatory expectations,' one expert observed. The EU's action follows a partial ban imposed in December 2023 that targeted Air Tanzania specifically. At the time, officials from the European Commission and aviation experts were in Tanzania to assist both the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority and Air Tanzania in closing identified safety gaps. Those efforts now appear to have fallen short. Concerns raised by the EU reportedly included the operation of aircraft beyond mandated maintenance intervals, staffing shortages in key technical departments, and weaknesses in the regulator's independence. For Air Tanzania, the impact is particularly significant. The national carrier operates three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners—long-haul aircraft whose potential remains underutilised due to limited access to international markets. The airline has been working toward securing a Third Country Operator (TCO) certification, a prerequisite for launching flights to London Gatwick. Although the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU, the UK Civil Aviation Authority typically aligns with EU safety assessments in its own decisions.'If Air Tanzania cannot access European destinations, it weakens its business case for operating wide-body aircraft, which are capital-intensive assets,' the analyst added. 'This affects not only revenue projections but also the airline's ability to participate fully in international partnerships and interline agreements.'From an operational safety standpoint, Air Tanzania remains a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and holds a current IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification — widely regarded as the industry's gold standard. The EU ban may therefore reflect shortcomings more on the regulator's side than the airlines. Still, the road to reinstatement could be long. Without demonstrable progress in meeting international standards, Tanzania risks further isolation from global aviation networks — affecting not only its flag carrier but the broader ecosystem of tourism, trade, and investment that depends on strong and credible air connectivity. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
