Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has issued new guidelines regarding the distribution of bulk SMS messages before, during and after the 2025 General Election.
TCRA’s Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari outlined necessary measures and cautioned against practices that could undermine the authenticity of information or disrupt national peace and unity.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Dr Bakari urged all stakeholders to ensure that all communication promotes unity, peace and national cohesion.
He also issued a stern warning to online content providers distributing news and events without a valid TCRA licence, saying that such actions violate the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA) of 2010 and the Online Content Regulations of 2020, including their 2022 amendments.
“Anyone providing these services without proper licensing will face strict legal action, including prosecution,” he said.
TCRA regulates telecommunications, internet services, postal services and broadcasting, including radio, television and online content and closely monitors online content delivery in line with its legal mandate.
Dr Bakari reminded telecom operators and SMS aggregators to ensure all bulk SMS content related to the election complies fully with relevant laws and regulations.
He stressed that all bulk messages must be thoroughly screened before distribution to prevent the spread of incitement, misinformation or content that could threaten peace.
All election-related content requires prior approval from the relevant institutions or political party leadership. Service providers must retain records of all bulk SMS messages sent during the legally mandated period for verification if needed.
Meanwhile, Tanzania continues to strengthen its position as a learning hub for Africa’s communications regulators, attracting delegations eager to learn from its advanced regulatory framework and adoption of modern technologies.
TCRA is currently hosting a seven-day visit by a delegation of five officials from Mali’s Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (AMRTP), led by Director General Mr Abdoulaye Coulibaly.
The visit focuses on sharing experiences in sector regulation, ICT systems and quality control.
During a courtesy call to TCRA office in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Dr Bakari said the authority is committed to mutual cooperation and knowledge exchange.
He noted that this culture of skills sharing has helped TCRA become a reference point for many regulators across the continent. He attributed this success to deliberate government investments under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, including the rollout of 5G services and the installation of over 700 communication towers nationwide.
“In recent months, we have hosted delegations from Mali, Comoros, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. This interest reflects TCRA’s strong performance, driven by robust ICT systems, effective service monitoring and ISO-certified quality standards,” said Dr Bakari.
He also highlighted Tanzania’s advancements in cybersecurity, noting that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ranks Tanzania second in Africa and first in East Africa for online safety standards.
“This has positioned TCRA as a model for regulators seeking to strengthen their cyber defences,” he added.
The AMRTP delegation praised TCRA’s use of home-grown expertise to design and operate its systems, a strategy that reduces costs, builds local capacity and creates employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
Mr Coulibaly, whose team met with experts from ICT, quality management and communications systems departments, expressed satisfaction with the visit.
“You have invested heavily in internal systems, which is impressive. At AMRTP, we still rely on contractors for such services,” he remarked.
He further explained that Mali’s previous visit last year to Tanzania’s Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) inspired their return, convinced of the value of TCRA’s experience. During their stay, the Malian team also toured TCRA’s electronic equipment certification laboratory, gaining firsthand insight into the regulator’s supervisory capacity.
With its growing reputation as a centre of regulatory excellence, TCRA is shaping Tanzania’s communications landscape and reinforcing the country’s profile as a regional leader in digital transformation and innovation.
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