Tanzania allocates Sh73 billion to expand national ICT backbone
What you need to know:
- The backbone has now reached 109 out of 139 districts, equivalent to 78 percent coverage, with all 111 planned service delivery points finalised.
Dar es Salaam. The government has allocated Sh73 billion for the continued implementation of the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) project in the 2025/26 financial year, bolstering efforts to enhance Tanzania’s digital infrastructure.
Presenting the Sh291.533 billion budget for the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology in Parliament on Friday, 16 May 2025, Minister Jerry Silaa said the funds will support several key initiatives.
These include extending the NICTBB to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), installing Wi-Fi in 50 public spaces, and supporting the construction of two national data centres—one in Dodoma and another in Zanzibar.
“Other priorities include quarterly audits of the NICTBB, supporting the Ministry’s Audit Committee in project oversight, and implementing audit recommendations,” Mr Silaa told the August House.
He said the ministry will also coordinate project verification activities, respond to audit queries, and conduct public awareness campaigns to inform citizens of ongoing progress.
Furthermore, it will oversee the implementation of the National Broadband Infrastructure Geographic Information System (GIS).
Moreover, the ministry will supervise the rollout of Last Mile Optic Fibre to 100 institutions in the criminal justice, defence, and security sectors—including the Judiciary, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Police, Prisons, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), and Tanzania Intelligence Service (TIS)—alongside other government agencies.
According to him, the ministry will also oversee the connection of 90,000 customers to fibre-to-the-doorstep services and continue managing the broader expansion of the NICTBB.
“Provisional and final acceptance testing for new broadband infrastructure will be undertaken, alongside the completion of 4,442 targeted kilometres of NICTBB construction,” Mr Silaa added.
Reflecting on the achievements of the 2024/25 fiscal year, Mr Silaa said 3,621 kilometres of fibre had been laid, representing 82 percent of the year’s target.
Since the project's inception, 13,820 kilometres have been completed, out of a total target of 16,280 kilometres.
The backbone has now reached 109 out of 139 districts, equivalent to 78 percent coverage, with all 111 planned service delivery points finalised.
“We connected the NICTBB to Mombasa, Kenya, through the Horohoro–Tanga route and improved mobile broadband infrastructure, which now covers 74 percent of the country,” said the minister.
He also noted that the ministry finalised draft contracts with communication service providers for NICTBB investments and completed feasibility studies for the two national data centres in Dodoma and Zanzibar.
“Procurement processes for connecting Police and Prosecution offices were completed, and preparations are underway to develop the National ICT Infrastructure Master Plan and a National Digital Development Programme,” he said.
Mr Silaa further stated that guidelines have been formulated to regulate internet service provision through government infrastructure to improve accessibility and service quality for Tanzanians.
