Yvonne Maruma, Head of Brand and Communications at Vodacom Tanzania Plc, has emphasised that Tanzania’s long-term development vision, Dira 2050, will only be realised when citizens move from awareness to active participation, a message she delivered during Day 2 of Innovation Week Tanzania 2026.
Speaking on the evolving media landscape, the power of storytelling and the role of technology in national development, Maruma stressed that credible media, authentic content creators and inclusive connectivity are essential for shaping the country’s future.
“Our stories matter. The credibility of our media matters. The voices of our content creators matter. And ensuring that technology and opportunity reach Tanzanians across different realities matters too,” she said.
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Representing Vodacom Tanzania, Maruma highlighted the critical role of connectivity in enabling citizens to contribute to the Dira 2050 vision. She noted that connectivity goes beyond mere access to networks; it is about unlocking opportunity, amplifying voices and creating the ability for people to participate meaningfully in national progress.
“Connectivity is not simply about being connected. It is about what that connection makes possible — whether access, opportunity, a voice or simply the ability to participate,” Maruma explained. “That, for me, is what it means to be more than a network.”
Reflecting on the central question of the day — how Tanzanians can move from simply knowing about Dira 2050 to actively shaping it — Maruma shared a powerful takeaway.
“Perhaps my biggest takeaway was also the simplest answer: ‘DIRA NI SISI’ — the vision is us. And if the vision is us, then shaping it starts with us too.”
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