AS Tanzania continues to strengthen its economic and social foundations, the communications sector remains a central pillar in shaping a future defined by opportunity and inclusion.

The nation has made remarkable progress in expanding communication infrastructure and promoting digital inclusion—a transformation driven by sound government policies and a supportive investment climate.

Tanzania’s drive to widen digital coverage has led to substantial growth across all generations of mobile technology, creating a more connected society. The rollout of 5G, introduced in 2022, continues to accelerate, with its geographical coverage having quadrupled over the past year. By September 2025, the country was served by 9,745 mobile phone towers and 43,669 base transmission stations across all network generations.

This expansion of connectivity has fuelled a surge in usage, with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) playing a pivotal regulatory role.Dr Jabiri Bakari, TCRA director general said in the latest sector report, revealing that the number of active SIM cards had reached 99.3 million by September 2025.

A total of 56.3 million Tanzanians are now online, up from 54.1 million earlier in the year, with nearly 83 per cent of the population accessing digital information and services.

Smartphone penetration now stands at 39.5 per cent, demonstrating increasing digital readiness and enhanced efficiency in service delivery. Access to basic mobile phones also remains high at more than 86 per cent.

“Connectivity has become more than a technical asset; it is the lifeline of national development,” the report states, underscoring its role in helping families stay connected, enabling businesses to reach wider markets, and allowing citizens to access knowledge, healthcare and livelihood tools.

Mobile money continues to be one of Tanzania’s most transformative innovations, greatly boosting financial inclusion. The number of SIM card subscriptions used as bank accounts increased by 5.3 per cent—from 68.1 million in June to 71.7 million by September 2025.

Millions of secure transactions are conducted daily through mobile platforms, turning the mobile phone into “a bank, an income channel, and a tool of resilience” for small traders, farmers and households.

“Financial access is no longer confined to banking halls. It travels through the pockets of the people,” the report observes.

TCRA has sought to balance innovation with consumer protection, ensuring that communication services remain affordable. Reduced data costs, resulting from strengthened infrastructure, have driven internet subscriptions up by 4.1 per cent between June and September 2025.

Dr Bakari stressed the critical role of affordability: “Internet access is no longer a luxury — it is a fundamental enabler of development. We are working to ensure every Tanzanian, regardless of location, can harness the benefits of connectivity.”

In parallel with this growth, TCRA is reinforcing systems for security and accountability, including biometric SIM registration, verification processes, cybersecurity frameworks and digital fraud monitoring—emphasising that trust underpins digital progress.

The ongoing rollout of 5G is set to influence vital sectors such as industrial operations, healthcare, agriculture and education. TCRA reaffirms its commitment to fostering a communication landscape that is inclusive, secure, innovative and equitable, propelling Tanzania further into the digital era.