Tanzania launches Digital Clubs handbook to promote youth innovation

The Tanzanian government has launched a Digital Clubs Handbook to facilitate the establishment and coordination of digital clubs in schools nationwide.

The initiative aims to expand innovative technology to youth from kindergartens to universities.

Speaking at the launch event on November 2, 2023, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology Mohamed Abdulah said that establishing digital clubs would be a catalyst for bringing creativity and innovation to young people in the country.

"The handbook is a guideline that will provide students with guidance on technological challenges and opportunities," he said. "It will also enable children at both the grassroots and high levels to access digital technology."

According to Abdulah, more than 50 percent of the Tanzanian population is made up of youth and children in primary and secondary schools.

Therefore, digital technology will be a catalyst for expanding the profession of digital innovation to young Tanzanians at an early age.

"We want students to live a technology-driven life because it is where the world is heading," Abdulah said. "Exposing children to technology at a young age will help to create a digital nation."

"The government's aim is to have a digital innovation culture, bringing different thoughts and information to society," he added.

Abdulah urged government and private schools to establish digital clubs. "There is no way out," he said. "For us to achieve a digital economy, we need to be innovative. We are optimistic that the formulation of the startup policy and the launch of the digital handbook will enable Tanzania to attain a digital economy and create jobs."

He stressed that digital clubs would help to reduce the gap of science experts in various fields.

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Director General Jabiri Bakari said that the TCRA decided to develop the Digital Club Handbook because the world today revolves around information and technology.

"Investing in technology is important to increase efficiency," Bakari said. "Therefore, the TCRA thought of coming up with the Digital Clubs Handbook. We are living in an information age that goes hand in hand with the digital economy."

He noted that digital clubs are voluntary and bring students together to learn about innovations and other initiatives.

"TCRA introduced digital clubs in 2022, and the Digital Clubs Handbook was launched effectively in November 2023," Bakari said.

He stressed that if joint efforts are made to support digital clubs, it will also encourage students to learn science and engineering studies.

The digital clubs will motivate students to like science subjects and increase innovation.

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