DAR ES SALAAM, May 26 -- OVER the past decade, Tanzania has achieved remarkable progress in expanding mobile network coverage. Today, more than 95% of the population can access a mobile signal as a foundation for digital transformation. But connectivity alone does not guarantee inclusion: nearly two-thirds of Tanzanians still lack smartphones, the essential tool for full participation in the digital economy.

With a national vision to become a middle-income country and double the ICT sectors contribution to GDP by 2050, the stakes are high. According to the World Banks 2021 World Development Report: Data for Better Lives, broader mobile adoption has the potential to significantly boost GDP, create new jobs, and increase government revenue...