THE Information and Communication Technology Commission (ICTC) has pledged to uplift electronics industries established by investors in Tanzania.

Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, the ICTC director, made this pledge here over the weekend when visiting Tanztech an electronics equipment assembling plant at Themi ward in the city.

The director stated the commission’s wish to ensure the firms\ growth “to meet the rising demand for locally manufactured electronic products,” insisting that the demand for these devices is high, and we need Tanzanian companies to produce them locally.

“This will help build our own brands, create business opportunities and empower entrepreneurs,” he said, pointing out that Tanzania has 23m smartphone users, on the basis of the latest quarterly report of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), underscoring the significant demand for ICT equipment.

“We will work closely with investors to ensure they receive the necessary government support on time, creating an attractive environment for investment in the ICT sector,” he stated, with a section of the audience comprehending that a ban was imminent on a whole range of imported smartphones.

Explaining that policy on ICT issues is developed in collaboration with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, he said that the commission is working to support small and large tech companies to enhance Tanzania’s digital economy and regional competitiveness.

He said the president has instructed the commission to strengthen the digital economy by supporting youth-led enterprises and promoting local ICT assembling firms.

“We were tasked with attracting investors to establish factories for producing ICT devices, ensuring sufficient supply for the population,” he said, specifying that this includes smartphones, smart watches, tablets and laptops.

Tanztech has responded to this call by establishing an assembling plant in Arusha, producing various electronic devices that can compete in the local and regional markets.

Gurveer Hans, the Tanztech CEO, explained that the factory assembles a range of electronic devices, including smartphones, smart watches, tablets and laptops, with a monthly production capacity of 40,000 smartphones, 30,000 tablets and 10,000 laptops.

The firm exports its products to Kenya and Uganda and has previously undertaken projects in Cameroon and Nigeria, he added.