Tanzania forges ahead in digital inclusion drive

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is making significant progress in digital inclusion, with the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) leading the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.

In collaboration with mobile network operators, UCSAF has supervised the construction of 2,152 telecommunications towers across 1,974 wards, extending connectivity to more than 5,111 villages.

Once fully operational, these towers are expected to provide essential mobile services to over 29 million people, significantly reducing the digital divide in rural and underserved areas.

UCSAF’s chief executive officer, Peter Mwasalyanda, emphasised the Fund’s public-private partnership model, which facilitates infrastructure expansion through competitive tenders in line with the National Digital Economy Strategic Framework for 2024–2034.  He said: “To ensure sustainable and inclusive connectivity, we work closely with mobile operators and government agencies under a transparent, competitive approach.”

So far, 1,886 towers have been completed, delivering 2G, 3G, and 4G services to over 26 million Tanzanians. Additionally, 431 existing towers, previously limited to 2G, have been upgraded to support faster mobile internet access, bringing modern connectivity to remote areas.

A crucial aspect of this initiative is the Digital Tanzania Project, which aims to construct 758 towers in 713 wards to benefit over 1,407 villages. Of these, 560 towers are already operational, serving more than 8.5 million people. The government has allocated Sh126 billion to the project, which includes a $30 million grant from President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.

Beyond infrastructure, UCSAF is promoting digital inclusivity through targeted initiatives. In partnership with organizations that support persons with disabilities, the Fund has equipped 22 secondary schools with assistive ICT tools, such as braille machines, embossers, and digital voice recorders. This programme is set to expand to ten colleges this year.

Efforts to bridge the gender digital divide are also gaining momentum. UCSAF supports digital literacy for girls through events like the International Day of Girls in ICT and offers scholarships for women pursuing STEM fields. Since 2016, over 1,400 schoolgirls have received training in digital skills, including 246 in 2025 alone.

Despite these achievements, UCSAF continues to face challenges such as difficult terrain, inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and coordination issues with other stakeholders. To address these challenges, the Fund has implemented proactive measures, such as securing provisional environmental permits and partnering with agencies like REA/TANESCO and TARURA to minimize project delays.

On the regional and international stage, UCSAF remains an active participant in forums such as the African Union, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), and the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), ensuring alignment with broader digital development goals across Africa.

However, concerns about digital freedom persist. A nine-day shutdown of X (formerly Twitter) reportedly cost the country over Sh21 billion (about $8.9 million), according to Paradigm Initiative. The NetBlocks COST tool estimated these losses, which resulted from disruptions to online businesses, digital advertising, freelance work, and access to information.