Empowering local citizens through ICT knowledge

EFFORTS to bridge the digital divide by promoting the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools to the people particularly in peri-urban and rural communities in Tanzania has led to the emergence of knowledge sharing among the local citizens. Following the liberalization of ICT sector in the country, issues of internet access as a tool for knowledge building has been adapted to a greater extent by various ICT stakeholders in order to meet the need of the so-called the information poor. In view of this, ICT investment is progressively taking place in Tanzania and this is indeed a paradigm shift in knowledge transfer. It means Tanzania is booming as an active partner in ICT use and internet has played a most crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap between societies at a considerable rate. his shows that, the potential of ICT application and its investment if well utilized is going to transform education and reduce ignorance, poverty and diseases in the country. In order to fight against these three development impediments, the process actually needs a joint concerted efforts of all stakeholders. The establishments of Tele-Centres which are the alternative source for rural e-learning is essential for ICT investments as these provides related services such as ICT training, consultancy services, distance learning, and business trainings. This is quite distinct from such an ICT centre like an internet café which is purely a commercial entity providing access to long distant communication and information services using a variety of technologies including phones, fax, computers and surfing. In rural communities, mobile internet is the most appropriate to a larger audience that helps such communities to benefit from the ICT revolution by accessing information that is of specific relevance to the daily lives of the people for their overall development process. The philosophy behind the Tele-centres concept initiatives is to provide affordability to rural communities and ICT projects for good governance and inspires collaborative participatory private public community partnerships.