National Information and Communications Technology Policy iv) Put in place requisite mechanisms that encourages the use of renewable energy in ICT investments to promote the green initiatives as a means of minimizing impact of ICT on the environment; v) Foster participation of Tanzanians in ICT investment. 3.9 Productive Sectors Development 3.9.1 Issue: Integration of ICT in productive sectors Development of any nation depends much on effective and modern productive sectors especially agriculture, tourism, natural resources (e.g. minerals, oil and gas), energy, manufacturing and financial services. Currently, ICT has played a major role in supporting these productive sectors. The role that ICTs can play in improving productivity in the key productive sectors of the economy is also acknowledged in the National ICT Policy 2003. The Policy stated Government’s commitment to encourage all productive sectors to incorporate ICTs in their development plans as well as its commitment to promote and support the implementation of nation-wide ICT systems for rural development and agriculture sector development activities. In recognizing the role of ICT to support these sectors; the Government has undertaken various efforts to ensure ICT continues to support development of productive sectors. One of these efforts includes creating an enabling environment that facilitates promotion of financial inclusion. Furthermore, Government has invested in a national ICT Backbone which has the potential to provide affordable broadband to productive sectors. However, the use of ICT in the productive sector is facing such challenges as lack of awareness of potentials of ICT; inadequate human capital to facilitate the use of ICTs within the productive sectors; shortage of sectors-specific ICT solutions tailored to local production and operational requirements; lack of linkages between productive sectors, relatively high total cost of ownership of the ICT solutions; and general lack of an enabling and conducive environment for uptake of ICTs in the productive sectors. 3.9.1.1 Policy Objective To promote effective use of ICT in the productive sectors for increased productivity. 36