Nazar Nicholas, President of the Internet Society Tanzania, received the WSIS 2024 Award from ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, with Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Moses Nnauye (MP), present on May 29, 2024. Photo: Courtesy
Tanzania Wins World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2024 Award in Switzerland
By Adonis Byemelwa
Tanzania has been honored with the 2024 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Award in Switzerland. The accolade was presented to Nazar Nicholas, President of the Internet Society Tanzania, and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, with Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Moses Nnauye (MP), witnessing the ceremony.
The award was handed over today, May 29, 2024, during the WSIS 2024 Summit, where Tanzania’s delegation, led by Minister Nnauye, participated. Tanzania’s victory came through the Tanzania Digital Inclusion Project, part of the larger Tanzania Digital Transformation Project (DTP), which competed against 90 projects from various countries in the area of information access and skills development.
The Tanzania Digital Inclusion Project, now in its third year, is managed by the Internet Society Tanzania. It focuses on connecting users to high-speed internet through a shared broadband system. To date, the project has connected ten schools, a local government office, a ward office, a police station, a community center, and six entrepreneurial groups.
Through the project, digital training has been provided to 1,200 citizens, both men and women. Additionally, 197 teachers have received e-learning training, and 2,000 girls have enhanced their skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to keep pace with technological advancements that are transforming the education system.
Nazar Nicholas, President of the Internet Society Tanzania, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its robust infrastructure policies, particularly the extensive deployment of the National Fiber Optic Cable Network spanning over 10,000 kilometers. He also thanked the Digital Transformation Project and the Third Development Plan for their support.
Tanzania’s attainment of the WSIS 2024 Award highlights its steadfast commitment to closing the digital divide and promoting inclusive digital growth, furthering its strides in technological advancement and digital literacy.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), a United Nations (UN) initiative, serves as a crucial platform for addressing ICT-related challenges through collaboration at national, regional, and international levels. With the overarching goal of establishing an inclusive Information Society, WSIS aims to facilitate universal access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development.
Endorsed by the UN General Assembly, WSIS has garnered significant participation since its inception, with thousands of representatives from nations worldwide attending the first phase in Geneva in 2003 and the second in Tunis in 2005.
The subsequent Overall Review of WSIS Implementation in 2015 further emphasized the alignment of WSIS with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, recognizing the vital role of ICT in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and combating poverty.
This ongoing commitment to leveraging ICT for socio-economic progress positions Tanzania at the forefront of digital innovation and global collaboration. As the nation continues to harness the power of technology to drive inclusive growth, it reaffirms its dedication to building a prosperous and interconnected future for all.
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