Background
In Tanzania, 36.8 million people have access to the internet (TCRA, Q12024). That coverage is roughly 53% of the country’s entire population. It also represents a large portion of business owners and operators, especially in companies that rely on information and communication technology (ICT).
A 2019 study by Professor Kelefa Mwantimwa from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) revealed that 72% of Tanzanian enterprises use ICTs to support their operations. This finding is interesting considering there are over 156,000 registered businesses countrywide (NBS, 2015).
Prof. Mwantimwa found that most of these establishments employ technology to support six key business processes:
Product development and marketing
Customer service delivery
Communication and collaboration
Documentation and data processing
Procurement and order management
Financial management
What does this mean?
Thousands of companies are modernizing their IT systems (or should) because their business model relies on internet-powered tools and platforms. Tanzania, like most African countries, could also see a rise in cloud service use.
The continent's public cloud market—where businesses rent computing power and resources from external providers—is expected to reach US$10 billion by the end of 2024. Revenues may keep growing at over 15% each year, reaching US$17.7 billion by 2028 (Statista, 2023).
A “private cloud” is formed when a company builds and maintains its internet infrastructure, either on-site or with a hosting provider. I have not covered this market since it is prohibitively expensive. Let us focus on the public cloud, which is the most accessible option for you.
African businesses are choosing to operate using servers from the likes of Amazon and Google instead of owning and maintaining their own equipment. This is called Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and it's the biggest piece (US$3.5 billion) of the public cloud market on the continent.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is another popular cloud solution, but IaaS is king right now. And the good news for Tanzanian businesses? There are several reliable cloud service providers available to help you get started with both IaaS and SaaS.
I'm going to focus on one reliable partner.
Upgrade to the Cloud
Building on my previous case studies, Flashnet's expertise as an ISO-certified managed service provider (MSP) benefits enterprises looking to outsource IT needs. This includes cloud-based services, which the MSP also handles directly.
Vinayan “Ben” Benedict—Flashnet’s CEO—understands the challenges and opportunities that Tanzanian businesses face in the digital age. That's why his team provides a suite of data center, cloud, and hosting solutions designed to help companies of all types achieve their goals in a secure, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
Flashnet’s data center solutions primarily help enterprises protect their critical operations from disruptions. It will help you minimize downtime, recover quickly from data loss or system failures, and maintain your reputation for reliability.
Its BCDR plans include features like organizational data backup, replication, and secure off-site storage. For example, they can protect you from ransomware (software that can lock your computer, servers, or files and then demand a ransom for their release).
Why Flashnet?
For businesses that own their hardware, the service provider offers secure co-location services within its state-of-the-art data centers. You'll benefit from reliable power, cooling, physical security, and network connectivity without the need to manage your own data center facility.
In addition, Flashnet's cloud computing services are flexible and scalable. You get virtual server installation plus configuration, storage, and networking resources on-demand. No physical cloud equipment is required on your end. You’ll pay only for what you use. This is an ideal solution for businesses with fluctuating workloads or those looking to reduce the upfront costs (CapEx) of upgrading their fixed IT assets through cloud computing.
Finally, the MSP can ensure your website is always available, fast, and protected from cyber attacks. Its hosting packages typically include features like domain registration, email services, and website security tools.
Conclusion
Contact Ben's skilled team at +255-777-988-883 or info@flashnet.co.tz to take the next step. Reading workout suggestions in a fitness magazine will not help you lose weight or build muscle. You need to hit the gym.
So see you next time! Continue growing your business by using the internet, not just to post on company social media accounts but also to invest in cloud-based IT solutions. I believe this combined approach will give you an advantage in Tanzania's competitive and price-sensitive market.