Tanzania’s telecommunications sector has recorded marked growth in mobile connectivity, internet usage and digital financial services, reflecting a broader continental trajectory in which infrastructure expansion and policy reform are reshaping access to information and economic participation.
Official figures presented by the Minister for Information, Communications and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, indicate that registered mobile lines reached 111.9 million in March 2026, representing a 23.8 per cent increase from 90.4 million recorded in March 2025. The figures align with ongoing data published by the National Bureau of Statistics and sector updates from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, which have consistently documented upward trends in digital adoption.
Internet usage has followed a comparable trajectory. The number of users rose to 58.9 million, an increase of 19.5 per cent from 49.3 million in the previous year. This growth reflects sustained investment in broadband infrastructure and the gradual extension of connectivity beyond urban centres into rural and peri urban communities. Across Africa, similar patterns have been observed, with governments prioritising digital inclusion as a cornerstone of economic transformation, as noted by regional bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union.
Mobile financial services continue to play a central role in Tanzania’s digital ecosystem. The number of mobile money users increased by 21.8 per cent to 81 million, underscoring the integration of telecommunications and financial services in everyday life. This trend reflects the wider East African experience, where mobile money platforms have expanded financial access and supported informal and formal economic activity without replicating external financial models.
The expansion of service provision has also been evident in the supply side of the sector. Communications infrastructure service providers increased to 52, a rise of 36.8 per cent, while application and value added service providers grew by 27.2 per cent to 173. This diversification suggests a maturing digital economy in which local and regional actors are contributing to innovation and service delivery.
Government initiatives remain central to this growth. The continued rollout of the National ICT Broadband Backbone, alongside the construction of telecommunications towers, has extended connectivity to 688 wards and reached approximately 8.5 million people. Broadband infrastructure has now been deployed across 86 districts, strengthening institutional capacity and enabling more consistent service delivery. Additional efforts, including the national addressing system, have improved geographic identification and facilitated network expansion into previously underserved areas.
While these developments highlight measurable progress, they also reflect a broader African narrative in which digital infrastructure is not only a technical undertaking but a social and economic enabler shaped by local priorities. Tanzania’s experience illustrates how policy frameworks, public investment and private sector participation can intersect to expand access while maintaining context specific approaches to development.
The trajectory suggests continued growth, although questions remain regarding affordability, service quality and equitable access across regions. These considerations are likely to define the next phase of Tanzania’s digital evolution as the country consolidates gains and navigates the complexities of a rapidly changing communications landscape.
