The government of Tanzania represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and Estonian delegation held engagement to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of digital transformation.
The discussions covered a wide range of potential collaboration areas, including the enhancement of e-governance systems, improvements in information and communication technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital education and training, and advancements in agricultural technology. Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among Tanzanian youth and startups was also highlighted as a key priority.
Socio-economic growth
This initiative is in line with Tanzania’s broader national strategy to harness digital technologies as a catalyst for socio-economic growth. Estonia is already supporting Tanzania through the Digital4Tanzania (D4T) project, which commenced in October 2023. Funded by the European Union with €2 million (about $22.3 million), this project focuses on improving digital connectivity and reforming e-government frameworks.
Tanzania currently ranks 153rd in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, with a score of 0.4327, which is below the global average. While the country is recognized by the International Telecommunication Union as a regional model for cybersecurity, it still faces significant challenges in terms of technical infrastructure and human capacity. In contrast, Estonia is a global leader in digital innovation, ranking second globally with a score of 0.9727. It is widely acknowledged for its achievements in e-governance and cybersecurity.
Krist Karelsohn, Director of Estonia’s Department for Asia, Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, emphasized Estonia’s global recognition despite its small size, noting the impact of its digital expertise in advancing governance and economic diplomacy through technology.
At present, the enhanced partnership remains in the planning phase. No official agreements have been signed, and there is no confirmed implementation timeline. As such, observers are advised to monitor developments as discussions progress toward more concrete commitments.