Close the Gap has launched three solar-powered mobile digital classrooms, known as Digitrucks, to be deployed in Tanzania's Kigoma region to expand access to digital skills training for teachers and students in underserved communities.
The Digitrucks are part of the Digital Innovation for Education Scaling Project under the Regional Teachers' Initiative for Africa (RTIA), funded by the European Union through Enabel, the Belgian development agency.
The initiative will support 12 lower secondary schools, four innovation hubs, and Kasulu Teachers Training College, helping to strengthen digital learning and teacher training in the region.
Speaking during the launch, Close the Gap Founder and C.E.O, Olivier Vanden Eynde, said the project demonstrates the power of regional collaboration.
"We are happy to do this project on a south-south basis, building it in East Africa for East Africa," he said.
Built from refurbished shipping containers mounted on trailers, the digitrucks are equipped with solar power systems, computers, and internet connectivity, enabling them to deliver digital literacy and technology training in areas with limited infrastructure.
The three units will be stationed at Teacher Resource Centres(TRCs) in Bitale, Nyansha, and Kizazi, where teachers and technicians will be trained before transferring digital skills to learners.
"Our main target is the teachers and the trainers because when we train the teachers, it becomes easier for them to train the students," said Esther Mongeli, Digitruck Project Coordinator at Close the Gap.
According to the Digitruck model, which has already delivered positive results in Kenya, where two units operating through a partnership with Huawei have trained more than 10,000 learners across several counties.
Mr. Olivier said the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by bringing technology closer to communities that lack access to digital infrastructure.
"We use the Digitrucks to bring digital inclusion to areas where digital infrastructure would not be available," he said.
Dr. Bernard Yohana Kibese, Tanzania ambassador, Kenya, welcomed the project, noting that digital skills are becoming essential for learners and educators and will help create new opportunities for young people.
Beyond improving digital literacy, project partners hope the programme will encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term investment in digital infrastructure across rural communities in Tanzania.
