Tanzania—ICT Partnership: 5G/6G Frameworks and Cyber Security Capacity

While Tanzania has a robust information and communications technologies (ICT) and digital sector (including private-sector developers, tech startups, local talent, and a burgeoning e-government ecosystem), the policy and regulatory environment has not kept pace with technological advancements.

The Tanzania ICT Partnership: 5G/6G Frameworks and Cyber Security Capacity project supported the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, in building Tanzania’s capacity to embrace international best practices and standards that advance an open, interoperable, and secure internet; defend against authoritarian practices; and catalyze investments in goods and services related to information and ICT.

Tanzania ICT prepared civilian regulators for 5G and advanced technologies by providing capacity building and technical assistance to implement regulatory frameworks, which encourage nonproprietary OpenRAN standards to preserve a free and open telecommunications network. Additionally, Tanzania ICT promoted cybercrime frameworks and legislation that incorporate elements enshrined by the Budapest Convention on Cyber Crime to encourage criminal procedures in the digital realm aimed to enable Tanzania as a democratic society.

Finally, the team provided foundational-level technical assistance and cybersecurity professional development in the buildout of Tanzania’s Cyber Incident Response Team.

Sample Activities

• Conduct an in-depth analysis of Tanzania’s adoption of advanced technologies.
• Develop an expert speaker series to showcase the findings of the assessment and to promote further discussion on advanced tech. Identify other events in-country to support business-to-business and business-to-government audiences to discuss and promote investment in the ICT sector.
• Conduct an explanatory report on the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, explaining the significance of the protocol and the impact of possible accession. Facilitate cybercrime information exchanges between U.S. Government and Tanzanian law enforcement partners.
• Provide assistance to advise the Government of Tanzania on key steps and milestones for the development of a National Cybersecurity Strategy, including articulation of key legal and regulatory reforms, implementation of practical frameworks, and adoption of international standards, as well essential investments to build organizational capacity.