Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world—and Tanzania is positioning itself to ride the wave of this technological revolution.
From agriculture and healthcare to education, government, and financial services, AI is gradually becoming a pillar in the country’s development agenda. As the nation works toward Vision 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), artificial intelligence is emerging as a transformative force with the potential to accelerate inclusive economic growth and social progress.
This article examines the strategic role AI is playing in Tanzania’s development, highlighting key initiatives, use cases, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead.
Tanzania’s AI Journey: A Policy-Driven Approach
AI development in Tanzania is rooted in the broader policy landscape. The government’s National ICT Policy (last updated in 2016) paved the way for digital innovation by promoting ICT in education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance. Building on this, the Digital Tanzania Project—a multi-phase initiative supported by the World Bank—aims to expand broadband infrastructure, digitize public services, and improve digital literacy.
Now, the government is exploring ways to embed AI directly into its national development strategy. The Tanzania Artificial Intelligence Strategy, currently in drafting stages, is set to outline a roadmap for ethical, inclusive, and innovation-led AI adoption.
Key focus areas of the AI strategy include:
- Encouraging AI research and development
- Creating a data governance framework
- Promoting AI in key sectors (health, agriculture, education, governance)
- Building digital skills and human capacity
- Establishing partnerships with private sector and academia
AI in Healthcare: Revolutionizing Access and Diagnosis
Tanzania faces challenges in delivering healthcare to rural and underserved populations, with limited access to specialists and diagnostic tools. AI is being used to bridge this gap.
- Ujuzi AI, a Tanzanian startup, uses machine learning to analyze medical records and suggest diagnoses for health workers in rural clinics.
- AI-enabled diagnostic tools, such as smartphone-based retinal imaging, are being tested to screen for diabetic retinopathy and other conditions.
- Chatbot and virtual health assistant pilots are helping disseminate health information and triage patients remotely.
By automating routine processes, enhancing disease detection, and enabling remote consultations, AI is improving health outcomes and easing pressure on the healthcare system.
Smart Farming and AI in Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing over 65% of the workforce. Yet farmers face challenges such as low yields, pest outbreaks, unpredictable weather, and poor market access. AI is now playing a role in modernizing the sector.
- Drone and satellite imagery are used to monitor crop health and guide precision farming.
- Agri-intelligence platforms, like AgroBora, integrate weather data, soil health, and market prices to provide actionable insights to farmers.
- Machine learning models help predict pest invasions, crop diseases, and harvest yields.
AI-powered agriculture not only boosts productivity but also strengthens food security and income for smallholder farmers.
Education and AI-Enhanced Learning
Tanzania has one of the youngest populations in the world, and education is central to its long-term development. AI is transforming learning experiences through personalized education and adaptive learning technologies.
- Mtabe, a Tanzanian edtech startup, uses AI to deliver learning content via SMS to students without internet access.
- Shule Direct incorporates intelligent tutoring systems to help students navigate curriculum-aligned content more effectively.
- AI chatbots are used to assist with homework, answer questions, and track student progress.
In the future, AI could help tailor curricula based on learner behavior, language preference, and performance, especially in multilingual or resource-limited settings.
AI in Financial Inclusion and Mobile Services
Tanzania has seen rapid growth in mobile money and digital financial services, with over 30 million mobile money subscriptions. AI is enhancing these services by providing:
- Credit scoring algorithms that assess borrower risk based on mobile transaction history and behavioral data.
- Fraud detection systems that monitor patterns to flag suspicious activity.
- Chatbot banking interfaces that allow users to interact with banks or mobile wallets in local languages.
Startups like NALA and Tala are using AI to provide microloans, remittance services, and savings products, bringing financial access to unbanked populations.
AI for Governance and Smart Cities
The Tanzanian government is exploring how AI can improve governance and service delivery. Key developments include:
- Predictive analytics for resource allocation and policy planning
- AI in traffic management, using CCTV and sensors to reduce congestion in Dar es Salaam
- e-Government systems that leverage machine learning to automate processes like tax collection, licensing, and civil registration
Additionally, the E-Government Agency (eGA) has initiated pilot programs that test AI in document management and public data transparency.
AI Research and Talent Development
To build a sustainable AI ecosystem, Tanzania is investing in research and education:
- University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology offer programs in data science, AI, and computer science.
- AI4D Africa (Artificial Intelligence for Development), a regional initiative supported by IDRC and Sida, has funded Tanzanian research projects focused on ethical and inclusive AI.
- Innovation hubs like Buni Hub and Smart Lab are hosting AI workshops and hackathons to build local talent.
However, a significant challenge remains: there is still a shortage of highly skilled AI engineers, data scientists, and machine learning experts in the country.
Ethical and Regulatory Considerations
As AI use grows, concerns around ethics, bias, data privacy, and accountability are rising. The Tanzanian government and civil society groups are calling for a regulatory framework that ensures:
- Transparency in AI systems, especially those used in public decision-making
- Data protection laws that safeguard citizen information
- Bias mitigation, particularly in sensitive sectors like justice or finance
- Inclusive design that reflects the country’s diversity in language, culture, and gender
Tanzania’s upcoming AI strategy is expected to outline regulatory and ethical guidelines to govern AI development responsibly.
Public-Private Partnerships Driving AI Adoption
AI innovation in Tanzania is being accelerated by collaborations between government, academia, private tech firms, and international donors. Key partnerships include:
Private firms like IBM and Microsoft: Offering cloud-based AI tools to startups and government agenciesdolor sit amet. no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. sed diam voluptua.
World Bank and Digital Tanzania Project: Supporting AI in digital public services
GSMA and local telcos: Piloting AI-based mobile services in health and agriculture
USAID and Research Institutions: Developing AI solutions for health emergencies
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