TANZANIA is among the top 10 countries in Africa that are doing well in terms of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and among the member countries of the East African Community (EAC) it is second.

The sector's contribution from tax revenue is 4.3 percent and its contribution to the National GDP has increased from 1.5 percent in 2004 to 2.4 percent in 2013.

The Executive Director of the IT Commission, Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga, said this today in Dar es Salaam, while speaking to stakeholders of communication technology in the country who met to discuss achieving a digital economy.

He cited the example of Kenya, whose contribution to the National GDP is eight percent and advised stakeholders to make contributions that ensure the digital economy is achieved, in order to promote the country's economy.

He has said that there is a large market that has not been reached, which facilitates the access to the digital economy in the country as well as increasing employment for the majority of citizens, due to the products they produce.

He said that currently the number of people in the EAC countries is 174 million, who contribute to the national GDP in their regions reaching 163 billion dollars and the member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), there are 344 million people reaching the contribution of 1 billion US dollars 720, an underserved market.

However, he has said that there is a need to have consistent policies and procedures in the respective countries, in order to reach the digital economy and to have an environment that allows change and acquiring digital skills.

"We have met to discuss with the stakeholders because many countries have reached a good stage and we can also face and see how to achieve the change of the digital economy," he said and added that Tanzanians should not be servants of other networks, it is better to increase creativity and the sector of IT to contribute to youth and employment.

He said the issue of the digital economy affects all Tanzanians, they should look at how to help Tanzanians acquire basic skills and do their commercial activities and use it as an opportunity in networks to look at digital communication systems.