Tanzania’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Partners with IDEA to Launch Jamii Wallet, Supported by Co-Develop

Dar es Salaam, 30 March 2025 – The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and Inclusive Digital Experts Africa (IDEA) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to implement Jamii Wallet, an innovative digital platform designed to empower Tanzanian citizens with a personalized government experience. This initiative is made possible through the support of Co-Develop, a global fund that supports DPI adoption. The partnership reinforces Tanzania’s commitment to advancing digital public infrastructure (DPI) for inclusive service delivery.

Tanzania’s Government Commitment to Digital Public Infrastructure

Tanzania has made significant strides in advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), demonstrating a strong commitment to digital transformation through strategic initiatives and policy frameworks. At the core of this effort is the Jamii Stack, which is Tanzania’s Digital Machinery of Government in the implementation of the 10-year Digital Economy Framework launched in July 2024 by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. This underscores Tanzania's ambition to establish a robust digital foundation that enables inclusive growth and innovation.

Tanzania’s DPI is a middle layer of the Jamii Stack, which includes Jamii Namba, Jamii Malipo and Jamii Data Shirikishi (Jamii X-change). Jamii Namba serves as the country’s digital ID system, which was launched in 2012 and has since registered over 25 million people. Efforts to start registering children for Jamii Namba are currently underway.   By strengthening its digital identity systems, Tanzania is enhancing financial inclusion, improving service delivery, and promoting overall economic participation.

Another cornerstone of Tanzania’s DPI strategy is the Jamii Malipo, which has seen Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS) launched by the Bank of Tanzania in 2019, and its success has seen over 1.5 million financial transactions go through the platform daily. This interoperable payment platform facilitates seamless transactions across banks, mobile money providers, and other financial institutions. TIPS has significantly increased the efficiency of digital transactions, processing billions of dollars annually with participation from over 45 financial institutions. By fostering a more inclusive digital payments ecosystem, TIPS is driving economic activity and enabling businesses and individuals to transact more securely and efficiently.

Building upon this foundation, the government introduced Jamii Data Shirikishi (Jamii X-Change) in January 2025, an interoperable data-sharing platform designed to facilitate secure exchanges of information among public and private entities, as well as individual citizens. This initiative aims to streamline access to vital data while ensuring security and privacy, further strengthening Tanzania’s digital economy.

Tanzania’s investment in DPI reflects a broader commitment to leveraging technology for national development. With the necessary infrastructure, digital ambition, and policy support in place, the country is well-positioned to maximise the benefits of digital transformation, fostering economic growth, financial inclusion, and improved public service delivery.

A Transformative Step in Citizen Empowerment

Jamii Wallet is set to redefine how citizens interact with government services. It will provide a seamless, secure, and user-friendly platform that enables efficient, transparent, and inclusive access to essential services, including social benefits, tax payments, and digital transactions.

“Jamii Wallet represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation agenda. By leveraging technology to offer a personal government experience, we are ensuring that all Tanzanians—especially those in underserved communities—can seamlessly access Digital Certificates and engage with government services in a secure and efficient manner.”
— Mohamed Mashaka, Director, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

IDEA’s Role in Delivering an Inclusive Digital Future

Inclusive Digital Experts Africa (IDEA) will provide technical expertise, strategic advisory, and implementation support to ensure the successful rollout of Jamii Wallet. As a trusted partner in digital finance, financial inclusion, and DPI development, IDEA is committed to fostering an ecosystem that prioritises accessibility, security, and citizen-centric innovation.

“Our partnership with the Ministry to implement Jamii Wallet aligns with IDEA’s mission to drive financial inclusion and digital empowerment through innovative solutions. With the support of Co-Develop, we are excited to contribute to a digital infrastructure that ensures no Tanzanian is left behind.”
— Innocent Ephraim, Managing Partner, Inclusive Digital Experts Africa (IDEA)

Co-Develop Support for Digital Public Infrastructure

Co-Develop plays a crucial role in strengthening global digital public infrastructure, ensuring that countries like Tanzania can scale interoperable and inclusive digital solutions. Its support for Jamii Wallet highlights the importance of collaboration among governments, private sector innovators, and development partners in building sustainable and impactful digital ecosystems.

Next Steps: Scaling Jamii Wallet for Impact

Desire Kachenje, Investment Principal at Co-Develop, highlights Tanzania’s unique position in the DPI landscape: 

“Tanzania is emerging as a hidden treasure for Digital Public Infrastructure, demonstrating how a country with over 60 million people can effectively harness DPI to build an inclusive digital economy. The government's leadership in establishing a strong digital foundation is creating a ripple effect, enabling both the public and private sectors to innovate and collaborate in ways that drive economic growth and financial inclusion.”

Co-develop is honoured to support Tanzania’s ambitions. This investment will not only build on this work but also inspire its already thriving digital ecosystem to make use of the DPI approach in building and deploying use cases that better serve its Citizens. The implementation of Jamii Wallet will include pilot programs, stakeholder engagement, and nationwide scaling to ensure maximum citizen adoption. The Ministry and IDEA will work closely with government agencies, financial service providers, and technology partners to integrate Jamii Wallet into Tanzania’s broader digital economy and governance strategy.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Innocent Ephraim
Managing Partner
Inclusive Digital Experts Africa (IDEA)
innocent.ephraim@idea.co.tz | +255 754 710 450

Mohamed Mashaka
Director
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
mohamed.mashaka@mawasiliano.go.tz | +255 714 757 373

Garikai Nhongo
Senior Communications Manager
Co-Develop
garikai@codevelop.fund | +263 780 289 065

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About the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology leads Tanzania’s digital transformation efforts, focusing on policy development, digital infrastructure, and ICT-driven service delivery to enhance governance and economic development.

About IDEA

Inclusive Digital Experts Africa (IDEA) is a leading advisory firm specialising in digital financial services, fintech innovation, and digital public infrastructure. IDEA partners with governments, financial institutions, and development organisations to drive inclusive digital transformation.

About Co-Develop

Co-Develop is a global nonprofit fund dedicated to accelerating the adoption of safe, inclusive, and equitable digital public infrastructure (DPI) worldwide. Co-Develop supports countries in their digital transformation journeys by making strategic investments that unlock bottlenecks, build local capacity, and promote the deployment of interoperable digital systems at scale.