IST-Africa 2012 Conference Proceedings Paul Cunningham and Miriam Cunningham (Eds) IIMC International Information Management Corporation, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-905824-34-2 Copyright © 2012 The authors www.IST-Africa.org/Conference2012 Page 1 of 10 ICT Policy and e-Transparency in Tanzania Edison W. LUBUA* + and Manoj S. MAHARAJ + *Mzumbe University, Tanzania + University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Email: elubua@mzumbe.ac.tz , maharajms@ukzn.ac.za Abstract: This discussion paper explores the adequacy of Tanzania’s ICT Policy for enhancing transparent and efficient service provision in the public sector and begins by defining e-transparency, challenges associated with its implementation together with policy formulation. The discussion then proceeds by focussing on the role of e-transparency within the Tanzanian National ICT Policy, by considering e-Transparency within the broader ICT challenges in Tanzania. The paper concludes by providing recommendations on National ICT policy in light of the imperatives of e-transparency for public service delivery and an open society. 1. Background The history of ICT within the Tanzanian government can be traced back to the installation of the first mainframe computer in 1965 in the Ministry of Finance, (Ndamagi, 1988; Sheya & Koda, 1987). The number of computers increased to seven by the mid of 1970s. The non-availability of local expertise at the time forced the government to depend entirely on foreign experts even for simple matters like the installation of new programs. In 1974, the government banned the importation of computers and related equipment following the loss of data by the Ministry of Finance (Nielinger, 2004). Later, the government formulated a task force to advise on viability of using computers in government Ministries and Departments. The most noticiable recommendation made was for the government to form a National Policy on Computer Technology and Training Programs (Sheya & Koda, 1987). In late 1970s and early 1980s, individual companies began to import computers through permits issued by the government and based upon the success experienced by these companies, the government decided to replace its old computers. Another impetus for this change was provided by the East Africa Community (a three government organisation which operated harbour services, post offices, a telecommunication company, railway and air services) which encouraged the use of computers by its members. Soon after the community collapsed, each partner state had to operate these services by their own. The government of Tanzania was therefore obliged to buy new computers and train more experts on how to run these institutions. This naturally caused an increase in the number of computers in the public sector. In 1994 the Tanzanian government passed legislative reforms in the ICT sector that introduced the separation of responsibilities between operative and regulatory bodies (Mwiyeria & Swarts, 2010). Further reforms in 2000 made the importation of computers and their accessories into Tanzania easier. This was also the year when the first government website was developed (Tanzania National Website; www.tanzania.go.tz ). In the year 2003, the first formal National ICT Policy was adopted by the government (Tanzania-ICT-Policy, 2003); the main themes for the policy are to assist Tanzanian Society to achieve the 2025 millennium development goals. In addition to the formulation of the current