1. Vodacom, CRDB Target Smartphone Gap
Despite Tanzania's growing telecom market (currently valued at USD 2.2 billion), low smartphone penetration (32.1%) hinders broader internet adoption and access to digital services. High device costs pose a significant barrier, even for subscribers of major providers like TiGO, where only 2% of its 19.6 million customers utilize 5G-compatible phones or PCs.
Vodacom Tanzania Plc, the market leader with 22.2 million subscribers, partnered with CRDB Bank (which lent USD 3.3 billion in 2023) to introduce a smartphone financing plan. This initiative directly addresses the cost barrier by providing flexible repayment options through M-Pesa, which has over 19.1 million users countrywide.
On the other hand, the initiative could accelerate a transition away from USSD menu-based banking towards full-featured mobile banking apps. These apps offer expanded services like on-demand statements and free balance checks, which aren't possible on feature phones.
Beyond digital inclusion, Vodacom stands to benefit from increased mobile data customers. The partnership could also benefit platforms like Tunzaa and GasFasta, whose mini-apps are embedded within Vodacom’s super app.
How? Increased smartphone ownership would likely expand the startups' reach within the Tanzanian market. And can create new user acquisition channels for diverse providers of digital products or services who will appear in the M-Pesa Super App.
The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has launched a value-added initiative to commercialize a skin treatment derived from the 'Mti maziwa' plant (milk bush).
Prof. Robinson Mdegela, Head of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, currently leads the research focused on verifying safety and creating a marketable product. The project aims to increase incomes for farmers involved in medicinal plant cultivation. Thus addressing a longstanding challenge.
Named "Synodal," the medicine has received funding from COSTECH (Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology) and shows potential for both domestic and international markets.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), the President’s Office, and Airtel Tanzania signed an MoU to roll out the SmartWasomi project.
The initiative aims to bring digital learning tools and content to approximately 3,000 government schools over five years.
Project goals include addressing shortages of learning materials, boosting student engagement, and enhancing teacher resources.
Officials from both the public and private sectors expressed optimism, highlighting the program's potential to create a more equitable and modernized education system.
The National Ranch Company (NARCO) has highlighted the positive impact of COSTECH-funded farmer groups specializing in cattle fattening.
These groups are key suppliers to the Kongwa beef factory, improving the quality and quantity of meat production.
NARCO encourages further COSTECH support for these groups to enhance meat quality, increase farmer incomes, and promote economic growth within the sector.
Specific benefits include: (i) increased cattle weight and value for farmers; (ii) improved taste and quality of Kongwa brand meat.
A new partnership between Tanzanian and Chinese firms aims to boost smallholder farmer success through improved technology and market access.
Haippa PLC and Jinhua Trade Ltd. will initially focus on reducing post-harvest losses for cassava farmers. Thanks to a guaranteed Chinese market, and plans to introduce modern farming techniques.
The initiative aligns with the government’s goal of attaining a 10 percent annual growth rate for the crops sub-sector by 2030. It is made possible through a five-year Africa-China Think Tank program focused on rural development and technology transfer.
DCB Commercial Bank has introduced the "VicobaApp" to digitize banking services for Village Community Banks (VICOBA). This is a crucial step towards greater financial inclusion in Tanzania.
The app offers VICOBA members easier and more secure transactions directly from their phones. It aligns with the bank's commitment to empowering low-income Tanzanians and entrepreneurs.
The Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) has partnered with Honora Tanzania (TiGO) to provide insurance services accessible through Tigo Pesa's USSD system and mobile app.
This initiative aims to expand assurance access, drive innovation in service delivery, and improve customer experience. Officials from both ZIC and Honora, as well as Zanzibar’s Ministry of Finance and Planning, highlighted the service's potential to align with government goals of financial inclusion.
The service initially focuses on motor vehicle insurance (cars, motorcycles, public transport, etc.).
At Tanzania's first International Primary Health Care Conference, experts and stakeholders emphasized the need for digital transformation in the healthcare industry.
A proposed cloud-connected electronic medical records (EMR) system is seen as crucial for improving service delivery, achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and enhancing the quality of family- or community-level care.
In particular, UNICEF's Chief of Health stressed the potential of EMR for better patient tracking, timely emergency response, and improved child health outcomes.
The President's Office, on the other hand, expressed support for transformation and the need for training healthcare workers in digital technology.