THE Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) has urged employers in the private sector to comply with the minimum wage rate set in the Government Notice in October last year.

Suzanne Ndomba Doran, the ATE CEO, issued this appeal at the national launch of the AI Xcelerate Project in the country, in collaboration with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Microsoft, a US artificial intelligence stakeholder.

She said that the order issued on October 13 last year started being implemented last month in accordance with the law, asking employers to take up Government Notice 605A in its entirety to ensure that they implement the order for the welfare of their employees.

."We urge all employers to read and implement GN 605A properly. Where an employer does not understand how to comply and implement the notice, ATE is here to help at any time to ensure that the interests of employees in the private sector are fully observed," she stated.

The highlight of the day was unveiling the AI Xcelerate Project, a strategic collaboration between ATE, IOE and Microsoft, designed to bridge the digital divide by equipping local businesses with cutting-edge technological tools.

The project is a milestone as Tanzania cannot afford to remain a spectator in the global digital revolution, the CEO underlined, affirming that AI is transforming how economies grow and how enterprises compete. 

“This transformation is fast and unavoidable. We see AI not just as a futuristic concept but as a practical tool to strengthen businesses, expand market opportunities and enhance workforce capabilities today," she stated.

A primary target of the AI Xcelerate initiative is the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) breadth of entrepreneurs as these businesses often face the highest barriers to digital adoption, she said. 

The project is intended to provide training for both managers and workers to adopt AI responsibly, leveraging automation to lower operational expenses in agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics and ensuring local SMEs can compete in value chains dominated by larger, tech-heavy corporations, she said.

The project will be subjected to an annual review to assess its impact on productivity as well as its long-term sustainability within the local economic framework, the CEO further noted, affirming that the project is as much about people as it is about technology. 

By fostering a shared commitment to inclusive growth, the initiative seeks to position Tanzania as a leading participant in Africa’s broader digital transformation, she said.

"It is about ensuring that no enterprise—large or small—is left behind. Our goal is to build a sustainable economic environment where technology serves to uplift the national development agenda,” she added.