IBM, the second largest technology company after Apple, will work with Tanzania’s ministry of communication to develop the country’s information communication and technology (ICT) further.
Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Prof. Makame Mbarawa said the partnership will facilitate growth in the infrastructure, data centres, cyber security and Tanzania’s development in ICT as a whole.
IBM Middle East and Africa Chief Technology Officer Dr. Mark Dean added that the company is a long-standing partner to the Tanzanian government.
“We are committed to supporting the country’s economic growth and technical advancement,” Dean said.
To ensure the neighbouring countries also benefit from the project, the Port of Dar es Salaam will be given special consideration. The Port is widely used by Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, which will be among the first targets.
The Tanzania ICT policy seeks to ensure the country’s technological level is up to international standards for use in government operations, health and education services.
The government has been supportive in coming up with ways of improving ICT in the country including the Introduction of scholarship opportunities to bright and needy students with a passion for ICT studies, anddonation of 37,000 technical reference books and journals to the University of Dodoma and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology.
IBM is the currently the world’s second leading technology company and analysts say the partnership will enable the people of Tanzania to benefit from its wide range of Information and technology services and business solutions. IBM’s closing price late last year was US$214 billion compared to Microsoft’s at $213.2bn (£136.8bn). Apple held the top slot with a value of $362 billion.
IBM was first launched in 1911 in the United States as a technology firm. Since then, it has spread globally becoming a leading manufacturer and seller of computer hardware, software among other business solutions.
