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New pact to accelerate Zanzibar’s digital transformation journey
What you need to know:
- Under the collaboration, Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the Zanzibar government’s efforts, including to set up a digital transformation team, collaborating with the government’s payment portal, ZanMalipo, to enable digital payments, and launch two million government cards for better access to services and tourism.
Zanzibar. Global technology company in the payment industry, Mastercard, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zanzibar e-Government Agency (eGAZ) to support and accelerate its ambitious digital transformation journey.
The three-year pact will allow different sectors in Zanzibar, including tourism, to digitise payments and contribute to economic growth.
The signing took place at the launch of the Zanzibar Digital Government Strategy for 2023-2027, led by President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
The agreement is the first by Mastercard as Zanzibar targets to transform into a strong digital economy which will secure digital systems, drive innovative information, communication and technology solutions and develop training for digital governance, ultimately reshaping public services.
Under the collaboration, Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the Zanzibar government’s efforts, including to set up a digital transformation team, collaborating with the government’s payment portal, ZanMalipo, to enable digital payments, and launch two million government cards for better access to services and tourism.
“The like-minded collaboration between Mastercard and the Zanzibar e-Government Agency will help to power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere in Zanzibar. It is a testament to the profound impact of digitisation and builds on Mastercard’s global experience in enabling digital transformation and demonstrating the value of fostering cross-sector collaboration,” said Mastercard country manager for East Africa, Mr Shehryar Ali.
Zanzibar government is engaged in creating an enabling environment for a pan-African digital economy, one that would spur innovation, trade and investment in Tanzania and the wider region.
“This collaboration affirms our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies for service delivery enhancement. We believe that by working with Mastercard, we can significantly accelerate the realisation of our digital strategy and provide invaluable benefits to our citizens,” stated eGAZ managing director, Mr Said Seif Said.
Development of a fast and secure digital infrastructure for the delivery of services to citizens, tourists and the business community remains Zanzibar’s immediate focus with plans to position the island as a major player in the pan-African trade transformation journey.
