Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania launch the DigiTruck program to boost an inclusive and sustainable virtual Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, August 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania have joined forces to launch the DigiTruck initiative to provide digital education and skills to the people of Tanzania.
The initiative will complement the government’s vision of fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development through the use of digital technologies.
The launch was officiated by the Honorable Doto Mashaka Biteko, Vice Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, joined by the Honorable Jerry William Silaa, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology; His Excellency Ambassador Chen Mingjian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania; and other distinguished guests from the public and private sectors.
“It is an honor for me to be here representing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania on this monumental occasion. I congratulate Huawei and Vodacom for this profound initiative that will greatly complement the government’s digitalization efforts. Data clearly indicates that as a nation, we have work to do to close the digital gap and improve digital literacy levels. It is evident that both the government and private sector players need to come together to address this challenge. Ours is a large country, therefore, I invite Huawei and its partners to consider the possibility of adding more DigiTrucks to reach more people and accelerate the digital revolution in Tanzania,” said Honorable Doto Mashaka Biteko, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Tanzania.
Honorable Jerry William Silaa, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, reiterated the urgent need for digital and financial literacy in Tanzania to enable the nation to keep up with the ongoing digital revolution.
“The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has placed significant emphasis on the use of ICT, including digital skills, as the foundation for the nation’s development. We believe that the future of Tanzania lies in the hands of our youth, and providing them with the necessary digital skills is our top priority. In line with this, the government has initiated several programs, including policy interventions like the 5-year National Digital Economy Strategy of 2024, aimed at enhancing digital skills across the country. The launch of this DigiTruck project, funded by Huawei and Vodacom, will help boost our national digital capacity and enable Tanzania to rise in global rankings,” said Honorable Silaa.
The DigiTruck program in Tanzania is designed to extend digital skills training to remote regions of Tanzania, especially targeting youth and women. The initiative is part of Huawei’s commitment to digital inclusion through the TECH4ALL program, which aims to promote equity and quality in education to benefit remote communities in Tanzania and underserved groups.
“The DigiTruck project by Huawei and Vodacom is not only a key initiative to deepen the friendship and trust between the peoples of the two countries but also a practical cooperation to promote digital inclusion and cooperation for sustainable development in the realm of digital technologies, to realize the vision of Tanzania’s digital transformation,” said His Excellency Ambassador Chen Mingjian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania.
The DigiTruck will travel across Tanzania, covering ten regions in the first year. It will leverage innovative ICT solutions to make quality education accessible to more people, especially students in remote areas. By the end of the second year, the goal is to cover the entire country and bring the benefits of digital education to many Tanzanians. Both the CEOs of Vodacom Tanzania and Huawei have pledged to work together to make the project a true success story in Tanzania.
This launch follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on February 15, 2024, between the two companies, paving the way to explore collaboration opportunities in corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment to accelerating startups, and digital skills.
In addition to Tanzania, Huawei has implemented DigiTruck initiatives in 18 countries, benefiting over 93,000 people worldwide.
About Huawei TECH4ALL
TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term digital inclusion initiative and action plan. Through innovative technologies and partnerships, TECH4ALL is designed to help promote inclusion and sustainability in the digital world.
For more information, visit the Huawei TECH4ALL website at https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HUAWEI_TECH4ALL
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By launching the DigiTruck program, Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania are taking a significant step towards promoting digital literacy and skills development in Tanzania. This initiative will not only empower the youth and women in remote areas but also contribute to the overall digital transformation of the country. Through collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and international partners, Tanzania is on its way to closing the digital gap and embracing a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
