The Citizen Tanzania interviews Professor Benno Ndulu

The Citizen Tanzania

Our academic director, Professor Benno Ndulu, spoke with The Citizen Tanzania about the Pathways Commission's remit and the effect of the digital revolution on Africa, and specifically Tanzania. Professor Ndulu discussed how 'according to the global narrative, manufacturing jobs - already a scarce commodity in Tanzania and across Africa - will disappear, depriving the continent of an elusive growth engine.' However, the Pathways Commission 'believe that the evidence for these projected job losses is flawed and the digital age may in fact be Africa's economic making.'

To be able to tap into this potential, Professional Ndulu points out that 'countries in the region need to urgently develop the digital literacy of the government and citizens, make substantial investments in high-quality infrastructure, and put the right regulation, taxation, data and competition policies in place.'

Professor Ndulu believes that Tanzania's progress towards digital readiness has beenĀ 'dramatic', he also believes that there is still far to go. 'The Tanzanian government must now develop a strategy for an Inclusive Digital Economy that will guide the country'sĀ priorities.' Professor Ndulu knows that this 'can't be achieved by government alone. That's why [The Pathways Commission is] keen to support multi-stakeholder national dialogues in countries, bringing in key private sector figures, tech leaders, entrepreneurs and citizens, especially the youth, to design solutions that really work.'

You can read The Citizen's full interview with Professor Benno Ndulu here.

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