The expansion will be executed in two phases. The first phase, scheduled for the 2025/2026 financial year, will see the construction of 626 towers, with these new facilities expected to be operational by June 2026. The subsequent phase, set for the 2026/2027 financial year, will add another 774 towers to meet the overall target. These towers will be directly connected to the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), ensuring high-speed, reliable internet access for users in remote areas.
This initiative aligns with Tanzania’s broader national digital strategy and contributes to the 2050 Development Vision, which envisions transforming the economy through information and communication technologies. By expanding internet access, the government aims to bridge the digital divide that hampers rural communities, providing essential services such as online education, digital health, financial inclusion, and e-commerce opportunities.
Integrating the new towers with the national backbone infrastructure is expected to enhance service quality and bolster the network’s resilience against outages and overloads. The project is also anticipated to have positive economic effects, fostering entrepreneurship, boosting agricultural productivity through digital tools, and helping integrate local markets into the growing digital economy.
