Africa-Press – Tanzania. CHIEF Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka has called for the proper use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to foster national development rather than undermine it.
Speaking at the opening of the 6th eGovernment Annual Meeting 2026 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha yesterday he urged participants to guide the youth and internet users in using ICT responsibly.
Dr Kusiluka said that while the government recognises ICT as a top priority, it is crucial to ensure its use is aligned with national interests.
“ICT has the potential to either develop or destroy a nation, and one of the biggest concerns is security. We must create technologies that contribute to development while putting safeguards in place to prevent misuse,” Dr Kusiluka said. “The world is becoming less safe due to the misuse of the internet.”
Dr Kusiluka was speaking at the opening of the 6th e-Government Annual Meeting 2026 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, where he urged participants to guide the youth and internet users in using ICT responsibly.
“We need to ensure that we provide guidance to internet users, particularly the youth, to harness ICT in positive ways that drive development rather than crime,” he added.
He further stressed that the success of Tanzania’s Vision 2050 heavily relies on the appropriate use of ICT.
“We must be serious about ICT if we are to achieve the goals of our national development agenda,” Dr Kusiluka said, encouraging the meeting’s participants to engage deeply in discussions on how ICT can enhance national growth.
According to Dr Kusiluka, significant strides have been made in the e-Government sector, and the government is committed to increasing the digitalisation of public services.
“Tanzania has gained international recognition for its use of ICT in public service delivery, and we commend the efforts of the e-Government Authority (e-GA),” he said.
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Tanzania’s achievements include winning the UN Public Service Award and being recognised in the World Bank’s Govtech Maturity Index.
“Our country is on the right path in digital transformation,” Dr Kusiluka affirmed, noting the success of Tanzanian ICT professionals in international institutions and organisations.
“ICT experts from Tanzania are doing well globally and are capable of excelling anywhere in the world.”
The government has invested heavily in education to prepare the next generation of ICT professionals.
“In the areas where we have not fallen behind as a nation, ICT is a key factor, and we must continue to stay ahead in this field,” he said, reinforcing the importance of ICT in achieving sustainable development.
Dr Kusiluka also used the occasion to remind heads of public institutions to ensure that they secure e-Government systems from sabotage.
“Some people are not prepared to see the government operate transparently, with accountability and efficiency,” he remarked.
He further urged public institutions to adhere to the guidance provided by e-GA to ensure government online systems are safe and effective.
irector-General of e-GA, Engineer Benedict Ndomba, explained that the meeting, with around 1,400 participants, aimed to discuss the implementation of e-Government in service delivery and address emerging challenges.
The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘Improving Government Performance by Strengthening Public Service Delivery through Secure and Inclusive E-Government Systems.’
Eng Ndomba highlighted that the meeting’s theme aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which aims to ensure that by 2050, 80 per cent of government services will be provided digitally.
Chairperson of the e-GA Board, Dr Mussa Kisaka, reiterated that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the e-Government framework in Tanzania.
“The Authority will continue to play a pivotal role in building an efficient and secure e-Government system,” Dr Kisaka said.
