The Science Technology and Innovation Policy Research Organization (STIPRO) in collaboration with the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has hosted a dissemination workshop themed “Delivering Digital Financial Services for the Poor.” This collaborative event aimed at disseminating the latest research findings on digital financial inclusion for the poor specifically for Tanzania. These findings are a result of a project on Financial Inclusion and market Development in East African community economies, a project involving six East African countries namely Kenya , Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burudi and South Sudan.
The Opening session of the event was led by Dr. Bitrina Diyamett, Exceutive Director of STIPRO and Diana Muchai from the AERC, and graced by a speech from Dr. Jaha Mvulla, Director of Research, Innovation and Training at Tanzanian e – Government Agency (eGA).
The workshop provided a platform to present and stir discussion from the findings of three research project titled “Taxation on mobile money transfers: who hurts more? Individuals or businesses?” by Karia Sekumbo, Noella Ringo and Constantine Manda; “Digital innovation ecosystem development for financial inclusion and market access: a case of Tanzania” by Dennis Mwighusa and Bitrina Diyamett and “Digital financial services through mobile phones: status and challenges faced by rural women” by Lanta Daniel. The presentations all gained from a vigorous and engaging discussions on issue raised and propositions of way forwards.
In an opening remark, Dr. Jaha Mvulla from the Tanzanian e – Government Agency emphasized on the importance of engaging specific government agencies responsible and highlighted the agency’s readiness to collaborate in all initiatives related to ICT and the Digital economy. While Dr Bitrina Diyamett stressed on the importance of striking a balance whereby Taxation that allows the government to collect its revenue is set in such a way that do not bring exclusion in usage of the digital financial services, Dr Diana Muchai emphasized on having policy recommendations that are practical and of a beneficial to the society
This event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, financial service providers, technology experts, representatives from civil society organizations and most of all public sector and government agencies including the responsible ministries
