ARU carries out surveys for construction of largest ICT hub in EA

Costech Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda.

The Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) has contracted Ardhi University (ARU) to conduct topographic surveys for development of infrastructure in Bagamoyo, Coast Region aimed at improving the country’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

 

Speaking to The Guardian in an interview last week, Costech Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda, said already experts from Ardhi University have started to conduct topographic surveys in the area.

 

Last year Costech and Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) signed a pact with the Commission to allocate and develop an area for the purpose of improving the country's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Under the agreement, EPZA will allocate land where necessary infrastructure will be built by the two institutions so that it attracts domestic and foreign ICT companies to invest.

 

Dr Mshinda explained that after the topographic surveys are completed, they would embark on working on a master plan for the area where the facility would be built.

 

“We would later on invite local and foreign investors who are willing to work together with us to develop the sector,” he explained.

According to him, they have already held talks with some investors including universities and companies from Malaysia and India.

He said the agreement is a crucial starting point toward the development of ICT sector in the country.

 

“This is the beginning of building the ICT capacity for Tanzanians and therefore sustainable development," he said.

 

For his part, the former Director General of EPZA, Dr Adelhem Meru, who is now permanent secretary in trade ministry, was quoted as saying:" This is an important milestone for the ICT development in our country," 

 

The pact seeks to allocate a total of 238 ha in Bagamoyo's Special Economic Zone under EPZA where the two organisations will collaborate to put necessary infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.

 

Once completed, the area is anticipated to be the largest ICT hub in East and Central African region.

 

“Bagamoyo will be the centre of ICT in this region," he said, adding that the progress is a crucial one for the country especially at this time of implementing the Big Results Now initiative.

 

The cost to develop the area is anticipated to be 50bn but Dr Meru said that the advantages of developing the area outweigh that figure.

 

He noted that companies that will invest will bring in technology, capital and create more than 100,000