Ericsson offers opportunities for digital transformation, Dira 2050 agenda

TANZANIA’S ambition to become a competitive, upper-middle-income economy under Dira 2050 presents significant opportunities for digital transformation, with emerging technologies expected to play a central role in driving innovation, productivity and economic growth.

Global telecommunications company Ericsson has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s digital ambitions, describing Tanzania as an important player in Africa’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ante Mihovilovic said expanding connectivity, growing technology adoption and an increasingly skilled workforce positioned Tanzania to benefit from the next phase of digital development.

Speaking at an event in Tanzania to mark the company’s 150th anniversary, Mr Mihovilovic said the country was approaching a significant technological turning point, with artificial intelligence (AI), fifth-generation (5G) networks, cloud computing and automation opening new opportunities across industries.

“We are really at a tipping point where things can accelerate even further than what we have witnessed over the past 20 years. The question is whether we are ready for this transformation,” he said.

He said Ericsson had maintained a presence in Tanzania for more than two decades, tracing its engagement to 2000 when it supported the introduction of the country’s first second-generation (2G) network.

Since then, the company has supported telecommunications development through network modernisation, increased capacity and improved performance, including the introduction of 5G services in collaboration with one of its customers.

Mr Mihovilovic said Tanzania’s growing pool of talented engineers and technology professionals was a major advantage in embracing emerging technologies and developing innovative solutions.

He added that digital transformation required cooperation among governments, regulators, telecommunications operators, enterprises and technology companies to create an enabling environment, expand infrastructure and develop practical applications.

Citing potential applications in emergency response and ambulance services, he said emerging technologies could improve public service delivery while creating new business opportunities.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Ingrid Johanansson also emphasised innovation, entrepreneurship and international cooperation as important drivers of economic transformation, expressing her country’s readiness to deepen economic and technological ties with Tanzania.

The ambassador said the two countries, whose diplomatic and development cooperation spans more than 63 years, had opportunities to expand partnerships through businesses, academic institutions, research and investment.

“Sweden means business. By collaborating to develop our economic ties further, we also build our economies and create new jobs in both countries. That’s the Swedish way. We co-create,” the diplomat said.

The ambassador cited Sweden’s investment in education, research, democratic institutions and cooperation between government, universities and the private sector as key factors behind its innovation success.

The diplomat said Sweden’s experience demonstrated how education and research could nurture entrepreneurs and technological breakthroughs, citing innovations such as the three-point seatbelt, pacemaker and Bluetooth technology.

The ambassador further noted that Swedish companies, including Ericsson, were contributing to Tanzania’s development, while longstanding university research partnerships offered opportunities to strengthen knowledge exchange and innovation.

The event provided an opportunity to reflect on Ericsson’s 150-year journey, which began in 1876 with a small mechanical workshop in Stockholm, Sweden, and its contribution to global telecommunications development.

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