Waziri wa Habari, Utamaduni, Sanaa na Michezo, Paul Makonda ameelekeza mchakato wa fedha shilingi bilioni 2 za Watengeneza Maudhui kukamilika ndani ya mwezi huu wa pili na kuanza kugawiwa Machi, 2026.
Ametoa agizo akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jijini Dar es Salaam, akisisitiza kuwa fedha hizo zimetengwa kwa ajili yao ikiwa ni mapenzi ya dhati ya Rais Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan ya kutambua mchango wao katika kujipatia kipato na ajira.
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Tanzania is witnessing an unprecedented boom in its digital economy, a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to financial inclusion and technological advancement. The latest data from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for the quarter ending December 2025 reveals a vibrant sector that is empowering citizens across the nation.
Explosive Growth in Connectivity: The statistics paint a picture of a highly connected nation. Total SIM card registrations have surged by 7.7%, jumping from 99.3 million in September to a staggering 106.9 million by December 2025. This growth is not just about numbers; it represents millions more Tanzanians gaining access to vital communication services.
Furthermore, the government’s push for a knowledge-based economy is bearing fruit. Internet subscriptions have risen by 3.2% to 58.1 million users. More impressively, the actual usage of internet data has skyrocketed by 9.5%, reaching 808 Petabytes. This increase indicates that Tanzanians are not just connected; they are actively utilizing the digital space for business, education, and social development.
Financial Inclusion Triumph: Perhaps the most significant indicator of economic empowerment is the robust growth in mobile money services. The number of active mobile money accounts grew by 6.7%, reaching 76.5 million accounts.
This surge signifies that financial services are reaching the grassroots, facilitating trade and securing savings for millions who were previously unbanked. With mobile money transactions remaining robust, the digital financial ecosystem is proving to be a backbone of our national economy.
Serikali imepunguza ada za leseni kwa watoa na wakusanyaji wa maudhui mtandaoni, hatua inayolenga kupanua wigo wa ushiriki, kuhamasisha ubunifu wa kidijitali na kuboresha mazingira ya ufanyaji kazi katika sekta ya habari.
Ada ya leseni kwa watoa maudhui mtandaoni imepunguzwa kutoka shilingi 500,000 hadi shilingi 50,000, huku ada ya maombi ikiwa shilingi 10,000.
Kwa upande wa wakusanyaji wa maudhui mtandaoni, ada ya leseni imepunguzwa kutoka shilingi milioni 1 hadi shilingi 100,000, na ada ya maombi kuwa shilingi 20,000 tu.
Hatua hiyo ni sehemu ya mkakati wa Serikali ya Awamu ya Sita chini ya uongozi wa Rais Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan wa kuimarisha uchumi wa kidijitali na kuweka mazingira rafiki kwa wawekezaji na wabunifu wa maudhui ya ndani.
Aidha, serikali imedhamiria kuendelea kuboresha mazingira ya ufanyaji kazi kwa vyombo vya habari, huku ikisisitiza ubora wa maudhui, kuzingatia maadili ya taaluma na kulinda haki miliki.
Vijana wabunifu wametakiwa kujitokeza na kuchangamkia fursa za mitaji na mafunzo zinazotolewa ili waweze kugeuza mawazo yao kuwa biashara endelevu na chanzo cha ajira.
Wito huo umetolewa kufuatia serikali kupitia Wizara ya Elimu, Sayansi na Teknolojia kutenga shilingi bilioni 2.3 kupitia Mfuko wa Samia wa Ubiasharishaji Ubunifu kwa ajili ya kutoa mitaji wezeshi kwa njia ya mikopo nafuu kwa wabunifu wanaofika hatua ya kupeleka sokoni bidhaa au huduma zitokanazo na ubunifu wao.
Aidha, baadaye Benki ya CRDB iliwekeza shilingi bilioni 2.3 katika mfuko huo na kufanya mtaji wa kuwezesha wabunifu kuwa na jumla ya shilingi bilioni 4.6.
Licha ya uwekezaji huo, mwamko wa vijana umekuwa mdogo ambapo katika kipindi cha miezi 10, vijana saba tu ndio wamenufaika na mfuko wa huo, ambapo baadhi ya waombaji hawakukidhi vigezo vya kupata mitaji hiyo.
Kati ya shilingi bilioni 4.6 zilizotolewa, shilingi milioni 767 pekee ndiyo zimechukuliwa, na hivyo vijana wamehimizwa kutumia fedha hizo kubali mawazo yao kuwa bidhaa na huduma ambazo zitatoa mchango kwa maendeleo ya jamii na kukuza uchumi.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian youth are gaining hands-on experience in coding, robotics and digital design through Airtel Fursa Lab, with participants describing the initiative as a rare opportunity to learn and experiment without fear of failure.
Eighteen-year-old Kelvin Mussa Kieta from Sinza said the lab offered him a chance to continue his passion for technology after his secondary school computer club shut down.
“Here, when something does not work, you do not panic. You try again until you get it right,” he said, gesturing towards a robotic arm he was programming.
Recent university graduate Neema Minja said the programme offered clarity and exposure rather than guaranteed employment.
“I did not leave with a job, but I left understanding how technology spaces work and where women are underrepresented,” she said, referring to the lab’s Future Women mentorship initiative, which pairs young women with female professionals.
In Msasani, entrepreneur Elizabeth Mbugi has benefited from the broader Airtel Fursa programme, receiving equipment worth Sh10 million, including a refrigerator and juicer for her fruit and juice business.
“Before, everything was rushed. Now I can plan ahead and serve more customers,” she said.
The lab, run in partnership with the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi), offers training in coding languages such as Python and Java, robotics platforms including Arduino and Lego Mindstorms, as well as web development, graphic and 3D design, and digital marketing. It targets primary and secondary pupils, university students, recent graduates and out-of-school youth.
Airtel officials say the initiative addresses the persistent gap between the skills young people acquire and the practical knowledge demanded by employers in Tanzania’s digital economy.
DTBi adds that combining industry expertise with institutional support allows the lab to provide a safe environment for experimentation and learning, nurturing skills that can be applied in the workforce or entrepreneurial ventures.
While expansion beyond Dar es Salaam faces logistical and infrastructure challenges, stakeholders say programmes like Fursa Lab are crucial for equipping the next generation with the tools needed to participate in the country’s growing technology sector.
Benki ya Equity imelenga kukusanya shilingi bilioni 200 kupitia uwekezaji wa wateja ili kuongeza uwezo wa ufadhili na kukuza utoaji wa mikopo, hususan kwa wajasiriamali wadogo na wa kati (MSMEs).
Hatua hiyo itatekelezwa kupitia akaunti maalumu ya amana ya muda wa miaka mitatu iitwayo ‘Wekeza’, inayoruhusu uwekezaji kuanzia Sh500,000 na kutoa faida ya asilimia 13 kwa mwaka, itakayolipwa kila mwezi.
Akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi wa akaunti hiyo leo Jumatano, Februari 11, 2026, Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Wateja Wadogo, wa Kati, Wakubwa na Binafsi wa benki hiyo, Theresia Mayanie, amesema lengo ni kuwahamasisha Watanzania kuanza kuwekeza sasa kwa ajili ya kesho yao.
“Akaunti hii inalenga kukuza na kulinda mitaji ya watu binafsi, wajasiriamali na taasisi kupitia uwekezaji salama unaotoa faida ya asilimia 13 kwa mwaka,” amesema.
Ameeleza kuwa mteja ataweza pia kutumia amana yake kama dhamana ya hadi asilimia 80 ya thamani ya uwekezaji huo ili kupata mkopo bila kuvunja akaunti yake. Dirisha la kuwekeza limefunguliwa rasmi Februari 11, 2026 na litafungwa Aprili 30, 2026.
“Tutalipa faida kila mwezi, na baada ya miaka mitatu mteja atarejeshewa mtaji wake iwapo atahitaji,” amesema Mayanie, akiongeza kuwa mpango huo unalenga kuongeza uhuru wa kifedha kwa Watanzania na kufungua fursa za maendeleo ya kiuchumi.
Kwa upande wake, Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Masoko wa Equity Bank, Shumbana Walwa, amesema benki hiyo imeanzisha akaunti hiyo ili kuwapa wateja wake fursa ya kukua kifedha sambamba na huduma za kibenki wanazopata.
“Tunataka kuhakikisha ndoto za wateja wetu zinawezeshwa kuanzia sasa, siyo tu kupitia miamala bali pia uwekezaji wenye tija,” amesema.
Naye Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa CORE Securities Limited, George Fumbuka, ameipongeza Equity kwa ubunifu huo, akisema ni njia mojawapo itakayowasaidia Watanzania kupata mapato ya ziada kupitia uwekezaji salama.