DAR ES SALAAM, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the East African Community (EAC) have called on member states of the regional bloc to develop and implement regulations that promote digital entrepreneurship.
The appeal, issued on Sunday by the EAC headquarters in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha, followed discussions at the 3rd EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
The experts emphasized the need for governments to create a conducive environment for digital startups by waiving taxes and levies for a specified period, allowing these businesses to establish themselves. They also encouraged universities and training institutions to introduce digital literacy programs targeting both rural and urban populations.
In the manufacturing sector, the experts advocated for the adoption of smart manufacturing practices through the integration of automation in manufacturing processes.
The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising eight member states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. ■
