Local youths spend less on mobile phones

A new regional survey shows that Tanzanian youths spend the least amount of money on mobile phone credit in the region. The survey, by Consumer Insight Africa, shows that Tanzanian youth spend a cumulative 17bn/- on phone credit per month. However, the youths in the other East African counterparts spend more. Kenya youngsters log in 59bn/- and Uganda 31bn/-.Besides, other items that consume huge budgets for the youths include snacks and sweets, transport, food and beverages in that order, according to the survey. 

However, that survey indicates that generally Tanzania youth are less ambitious. |At least 33 per cent of them in the same age bracket aspire for wealth compared to 62 per cent in Uganda.The relatively low aspirations of Tanzanian youth, however, were pegged on the side effects of Ujamaa (socialism), a political ideology which propagated the ideals of communal production of goods and services -- the opposite of capitalism.Comfortable life followed at 18 per cent with career pulling the tail at 10 per cent. Most of the youth want to be 'artistes' whom it considers a faster route to wealth and the most important thing. In total, the survey shows that a third of the youth in East Africa is connected on the Internet. The youth were also interviewed on an array of issues ranging from their pastimes, favourite sports, role models, favourite musicians and music genres, social joints, dressing and fashion influencers, issues of weight and banking habits.The survey also sought to find out about what they watch, listen and read, media speaking, Internet included, and what kind of info they most look for. Of interest to the market researchers too were their fears, dreams and aspirations. 

In Tanzania, 30 per cent of youth have access to internet of which 88 per cent are Facebookers, but Twittizens are fewer at 11 per cent. In Kenya, 49 per cent of youth has access to the Internet. Around 74 per cent chat on social networking sites. The most popular social communication site among the youth is Facebook. Although Twitter is gradually becoming another popular Internet forum, it lags behind at 18 per cent. 

About 36 per cent of young people aged between 20 and 24 years yearn for material wealth more than anything else. The mean percentage for materialism across East African youth was 40 per cent, making 35 per cent a high figure. Ninety two per cent of Tanzanian youth have access to TV compared to 83 per cent in Uganda and 94 per cent in Kenya.The most important information/programmes they look for are in education, music, sports, musicians, religion, movies, national news, fashion, relationships and parenting/family. With the exception of news, all other programmes are entertainment-based even though watching news increases with age. The drop in mobile phone call charges, the survey shows, has contributed to an upsurge in the number of phone owners. The survey shows that even though women are said to talk more, only 50 per cent have handsets, compared to men at 55 per cent in East Africa. Most phone owners are in the troublesome 20-something age bracket: Between 20 and 24 years (88 per cent) followed by between 13 and 19 years at 45 per cent.Beyond talking, their phones have other uses: Listening to radio (28 per cent), listening to music (22 per cent) and accessing the Net (20 per cent).
Daily News,19th July,2011