This historic assembly was distinguished by the prominent participation of Tanzanian delegates, including Dr Jabiri Bakari, the Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Others included Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, the Director General of the ICT Commission, and Engineer Mwesigwa Felician, TCRA’s Director of Sectorial Affairs.

The Digital Innovation Board operates under the auspices of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, a cornerstone initiative propelled by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the ITU.

The TCRA director-general said discussions at the meeting delved into strategies aimed at bolstering ICT innovations, fostering collaboration among innovation hubs and institutions, and devising mechanisms for the global dissemination of innovation centre insights.

The inaugural agenda also cantered on topics such as digital innovation intellectual property rights, governmental contributions to innovation promotion, and the prioritisation of digital innovations aimed at providing solutions to address societal challenges.

“This session also focused on exploring ways in which member countries can prioritise digital innovations emerging from startups dedicated to addressing the daily challenges faced by our communities,” he added.

The board’s inauguration and subsequent discussions aimed at making operational the board’s responsibilities, enlightening members on the strides taken by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance since its inception, and facilitating a collaborative environment for representatives from the 17 Innovation Acceleration Centres to share their strategic directions.

This initial meeting not only served as a platform to operationalise the board’s mandate but also provided a unique networking opportunity for innovation leaders, with the majority of board members selected from communication regulatory bodies.

Tanzania’s robust presence in the global communications arena, demonstrated by its membership in prestigious bodies like the ITU Administrative Council, coupled with active participation in vital telecommunications regional and international organizations such as ATU, PAPU, and UPU, underscores its growing influence and impact on the world stage.”