MWE Correspondent
Technology and policy experts in Tanzania have called on authorities to ensure stable and unrestricted internet access across the country, stressing that connectivity is not a luxury but a crucial pillar for national development.
The appeal was made by the Tech & Media Convergence (TMC) in partnership with the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), who emphasized that a reliable internet network is essential for innovation, trade, and digital democracy.
In a detailed advocacy statement released this week, the two organisations cautioned that continued restrictions on major social platforms — including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram — are harming thousands of content creators and online entrepreneurs in the country.
Their joint analysis outlined three pressing issues: economic losses, policy contradictions, and legal bureaucracy, all of which they say are undermining Tanzania’s digital progress.
According to the report, blocking access to digital platforms has cut off key sources of income for many young Tanzanians working in creative and online businesses. The most affected are small and medium enterprises — particularly those led by women — that rely on social media for marketing and sales.
“These digital platforms provide crucial income streams,” the statement noted. “Restricting them leads to lost productivity, weaker investor confidence, and reduced competitiveness in the regional digital economy.”
The organisations argued that such restrictions clash with the government’s own Digital Tanzania Project and Tanzania Digital Economy Strategic Framework, both designed to promote innovation and technological advancement. They warned that inconsistency between government policies and enforcement practices discourages both entrepreneurship and digital investment.
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Analysts say Tanzania risks lagging behind other African nations embracing a more open approach to internet access and digital transformation.
The groups also expressed concern over “legal overreach” in the enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and the Online Content Regulations, noting that vague provisions have been used to justify excessive control over online content.
Such measures, they said, not only limit freedom of expression but also discourage creativity and innovation — values central to Tanzania’s growing tech ecosystem.
The statement concluded by urging policymakers to collaborate with the private sector and civil society in developing transparent, balanced regulations that both protect users and encourage innovation.
“Reliable internet access is not a privilege — it is a foundation for education, business, and civic participation,” the statement read.
