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Tanzania has been ranked first in Eastern, Southern, and Central Africa in the newly released Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024. The country has earned a Tier 1 status in the Role Modelling category, placing it among global leaders such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea.

This prestigious ranking is reserved for nations that showcase exemplary commitment across all five pillars of cybersecurity: Legal, Technical, Organizational, Capacity Development, and Cooperation.

The GCI, now in its 5th edition, evaluates the cybersecurity efforts of 194 countries. Launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2015, the index is published every four years to help nations identify areas for improvement and build their cybersecurity capacity.

In an interview in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Director General Dr. Jabiri Bakari emphasized the country’s dedication to creating a secure cyberspace. He noted that Tanzania’s success resulted from extensive preparations undertaken between 2023 and 2024. As the focal point for Tanzania within the ITU, TCRA played a vital role in documenting the country’s cybersecurity initiatives and commitments.

Dr. Bakari highlighted that Tanzania has achieved full compliance in Legal, Organisational, and Cooperation measures. This includes the implementation of key laws, the establishment of the Tanzania Computer Emergency Response Team (TZ-CERT), and strong cooperation at local, regional, and international levels.

Looking forward, Dr. Bakari stated that Tanzania aims to achieve 100% compliance in the Technical and Capacity Development pillars by maintaining its focus on these areas. He also encouraged cybersecurity professionals in the country to obtain licenses to boost collaboration and visibility in the sector.

Commenting on the GCI report, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said, “Building trust in the digital world is paramount. The progress seen in the Global Cybersecurity Index is a sign that we must continue our efforts to ensure that everyone, everywhere can safely and securely manage cyber threats in today’s increasingly complex digital landscape.”

Cosmas Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, added, “The Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 shows significant improvements by countries implementing essential legal measures, capacity-building initiatives, and cooperation frameworks, particularly in strengthening incident response capabilities.”

The Tanzania Computer Emergency Response Team (TZ-CERT), operating under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), plays a critical role in coordinating responses to national cybersecurity incidents and collaborating with international entities. Established under the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA), TZ-CERT offers services like security alerts and advisories to help protect Tanzania’s digital infrastructure.