Encouraging use of digital technologies in tackling COVID-19 - 16/03/2020
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
TELECOM/ICT Policy Makers and Regulators | Africa | Tanzania
1. Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) assigned a dedicated number, 199, a toll free for Voice/Short Messaging Service (SMS) /USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) for COVID-19 services. 2. The Government through Ministry of Health produce awareness content for use by Mobile Service Providers to disseminate to their subscriber base, thus public is informed on measures needed to protect against COVID-19 pandemic. This has enabled the Government to reach many citizens through their mobile phones. 3. TCRA has supported awareness raising through different communication channels to reach majority; facilitating broadcast of the information with messages on the importance of using Digital Solutions against COVID-19 pandemic produced by the Ministry through 185 Radios across the country wide from national to community radios. 4. The Government through Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has enabled specific channels in Televisions providing learning sessions for Primary and Secondary Students. This has enabled students to continue schooling while at home. 5. Government through Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has increased the daily transaction amount from TZS 3,000,000 to TZS 5,000,000 and daily savings from TZS 5,000,000 to TZS 10,000,000 so as to encourage the use of digital payments to pay for services. Tanzania is among the leading countries in the use of mobile money that is indispensable payment method. It allows seamlessly payments of taxes and levies to the Government. BOT has also instructed Mobile Money Service Provider to reduce transactions charges with the aim of further encouraging e-transactions.

Keywords: e-learning; mobile money; broadcasting;