DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Wednesday awarded certificates to three university students who are winners of the Huawei ICT Skills Competition for Southern Africa 2018/2019.

Huawei said the winners will join students from other southern African countries for another competition scheduled for February, next year, which will be held in South Africa and later in China if they won in the second round.

Majaliwa said Huawei was one of the largest companies in the world that were leading in information and communications technology (ICT).

The prime minister added that the competition was held at a time when the government of Tanzania needed ICT expertise to support the east African nation's industrialization drive.

"I urge students who have won in this competition to do more in South Africa to promote the country. They should use their ICT knowledge for the benefit of the entire nation," he said.

Majaliwa said ICT had helped in simplifying communication and reduced bureaucracy within the government.

For his part, Emmanuel Chaula, a winner from the University of Dar es Salaam, thanked Huawei for creating the competition, saying it was helping students to showcase their talents.

"I am going to South Africa to compete with other students. My intention is to win and I will," said Chaula.