THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced its readiness to support Tanzania in its efforts to strengthen the country’s digital transformation.

Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s assistant Director of Information and Communication revealed this in his letter to the Director General of the ITC Commission Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga who recently was in France on official duties.

Based in Paris, France, Jelassi said UNESCO has been touched by the speed and readiness of Tanzania in its process of fighting to achieve a real digital revolution.

He emphasized: "Digital skills are an important pillar for the success and sustainability of digital change. We are happy to support Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology and the IT Commission in improving digital skills."

He added that the UNESCO Public Competence Framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Transformation is designed as an active tool for development, to support member countries in any changes that occur.

"Due to that situation, we recommend that the ICT Commission of Tanzania and UNESCO jointly initiate a Needs Assessment Study in relation to digital skills in the government and the public in general, followed by capacity building interventions to address the identified competence gaps.

"In addition to the basics of data management, privacy, cyber security and AI, training for senior officers will focus on more strategic competencies such as collaboration, strategic forecasting and human-centred public service design," said Jelassi.

He also congratulated Dr Mwasaga on his leadership within the ITC Commission while stressing that he believes the Commission will contribute to the transformation of Tanzania into an international center of innovation.

"We look forward to working with you and assure you of our support in the process of digital transformation in Tanzania," he said.

On Tanzania's readiness to accelerate digital transformation, Dr Mwasaga said it has been enabled by partnership between ICTC and UNESCO Office in Dar es Salaam under leadership of Michel Toto, UNESCO Representative to Tanzania.