Arusha. Two Tanzanian secondary school students have drawn national attention after unveiling a prototype ballot-counting machine aimed at simplifying and speeding up the vote-tallying process.
The young innovators Thuraiya Makame from Mpapa Secondary School in Zanzibar and Jorim Buntu from Kibasila Secondary School in Dar es Salaam unveiled their invention on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, during the closing ceremony of the 2025 ICT Training for Girls in Arusha.
Organised by the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) in collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), the training programme aims to nurture future female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Though the vote-counting machine is still in its early stages and not yet suitable for national or local elections, the students say the innovation demonstrates what is possible when young people—particularly girls—are equipped with digital skills and support.
“We know how long it takes to count votes. People often grow anxious waiting for results. This device is our solution to that problem,” said Jorim.
“We hope the government and other institutions can support us in improving it. Even if it’s not yet ready for big elections, it could be used in school elections or upgraded for future national use.”
Her teammate Thuraiya echoed the call, urging more investment in ICT training for girls across the country.
“Girls should not fear ICT subjects. With the right tools and support, we can use technology to solve problems in our communities and the country at large,” she said.
Minister Calls for Equal Opportunities in Tech
Speaking at the event, Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Jerry Silaa, praised the girls' innovation and emphasised the importance of closing the gender gap in the technology sector.
“Studies show that fewer girls choose ICT-related subjects, and this weakens our national workforce. The government is determined to change that,” he said.
Minister Silaa noted that the government is investing in restoring quality education in public schools and improving ICT infrastructure to create equal opportunities for both students and teachers.
“To those who presented innovations today—you’ve shown courage and creativity. I urge you to keep going. Let other girls see you and realise that no dream is out of reach. The government stands behind you.”
Over 1,400 Girls trained since 2016
According to UCSAF Executive Director Engineer Peter Mwasalyanda, this year’s programme involved 31 girls from across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, ahead of the upcoming International Girls in ICT Day on April 24, 2025.
“So far, we’ve trained over 1,400 girls since 2016, and this year alone, 246 students have benefited from our training at six centres located in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Zanzibar,” he said.
The goal, he added, is to inspire more girls to pursue careers in ICT and STEM fields and close the gender gap in technology.
COSTECH Pledges Support for Girls' Innovations
Dr Athuman Mgumia, speaking on behalf of COSTECH, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting innovations developed by youth—especially girls.
“Our role is to create enabling environments for innovation to thrive. These students have shown great potential, and we want them to continue developing their ideas. We are ready to support them to ensure their innovations are refined, recognised, and applied in real-world settings,” he said.
The invention of the vote-counting machine by these two students not only highlights the potential of young Tanzanians in the digital space but also underscores the importance of targeted training and mentorship in nurturing future tech leaders.
