DAR ES SALAAM — The United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Michael Battle, has praised the country for capitalising on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to promote social and economic development.
Speaking at a gala organised in Dar es Salaam to announce the top three winners of the US-Tanzania Tech Challenge on Thursday night, the diplomat emphasised the importance of ICT, stating that “everything is online.”
The envoy encouraged the winners to leverage their ICT skills and use digital platforms to inform the public about available online resources for the betterment of the country.
“This is the possibility in front of you, a dream I challenge you to pursue. Don’t settle for small dreams. If you have small dreams, find someone with big dreams to motivate you, and together you can change the world. Aim to transform the world; you have the power to make that change,” he said.
On his part, Innovation and Technology Manager Dr. Gerald Kafuku noted that the government is increasingly investing in this sector to support ICT innovators and unlock economic opportunities.
He highlighted that the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is collaborating with development partners to support young innovators, with the goal of driving positive changes across various sectors.
Over 100 participants showcased their innovative ICT projects in the Tech Challenge, with eight advancing to the finals.
Jamii Forums emerged as the winner, receiving $100,000, while Smart Foundry came in second with $80,000, and LaunchPad Tanzania took third place, walking away with $70,000.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
