DOI: 10.14457/tu.the.2023.147
title: Digital connectivity in Burundi and Tanzania: pathways to digital development in Africa

description: The pervasiveness of information and communication technology in the contemporary business world is becoming a determinant tool for a Nation's sustainable development. ICT development appears as a catalyst for a country's economic growth and UNSDG achievement. Scholars agree that Digital technologies play a fundamental role in enabling the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. This secondary research data examined Burundi and Tanzania's digital connectivity and pathways to Africa's digital development. The relevance of this study was to highlight differences in digital connectivity between the two countries, as there was no previous ICT sector study has compared the two countries before. The study collected and analyzed existing data gathered by other scholars in academic journals; reports; online data; books, and government data. It analyzed content by synthesizing information from different sources as well. The study examined connectivity in Tanzania and Burundi by analyzing data from the ITU Development Dashboard, GSMA, and World Bank data. The findings showed that Tanzania is more advanced than Burundi in terms of ICT development whereas Burundi still lacks internet connectivity in its different regions, leading to a national digital divide. The digital divide in Burundi is a huge challenge because it hampers internet connectivity to a large number of rural households as many Burundians live in rural areas. The study examined secondly the digital development and SDG advancement in Burundi and Tanzania as ICT is an enabler of UNSDG achievement and Burundi still has ICT development gaps. Results showed that Tanzania has succeeded in harnessing ICT benefits to advance UNSDG achievement, especially UNSDGs 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, and 17, where the United Republic of Tanzania used ICT to boost SDG achievement. The third question was to examine digital development policies in Burundi and Tanzania. Findings showed an explicit difference between the two countries. Tanzania already invested in ICT infrastructure, including broadband networks and the NICTBB to enhance internet connectivity to all its citizens. Burundi also made efforts to increase connectivity but needs further work to improve internet connectivity. Tanzania has implemented initiatives to improve digital literacy, ensuring that its citizens acquire the abilities and knowledge to effectively utilize ICT. Burundi still has issues with digital literacy, with much of the nation lacking digital literacy skills due to the digital divide recorded in rural areas. Burundi should endeavor to enhance internet connectivity nationwide. The majority of Burundians live in rural areas where there is a digital divide. This category of people once connected would benefit from actual and updated information and get different opportunities. Internet connectivity would help them facilitate and improve their diverse initiatives. Internet connectivity would improve skills for rural people and connectivity would improve rural businesses and entrepreneurial efforts. Consequently, this would facilitate long-term economic development. There is a need for increased awareness of the advantages of ICT development in Burundi. The population should be educated about the benefits of information and communication technology. Introducing initiatives that highlight the positive impact of ICTs on sustainable development and economic growth would motivate the people of Burundi to actively pursue opportunities associated with ICTs.