Digital inclusion for impact: Unlocking opportunities for Tanzania’s agro-traders

Over the years, digital inclusion has revolutionized sectors like health, education, and finance now it’s agriculture’s turn. In Tanzania, digital tools are emerging as a powerful force to unlock growth, especially for smallholder farmers and agro-enterprises. Yet many actors remain left behind, especially grain traders and processors operating in rural or semi-formal markets.

Despite some strides being made, a digital divide persists. Poor infrastructure, low awareness, and limited digital literacy continue to isolate businesses from transformative solutions. As Gumbi et al. (2023) highlight, digital agriculture holds immense potential, but uptake is hampered by ecosystem gaps.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Tanzania and the United Nations launched the Data for Digital Agricultural Transformation initiative in 2024, aimed at improving productivity and resilience with a focus on women and youth. Yet for these tools to reach the last mile, traders and processors must be fully integrated into the digital ecosystem.