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Tanzania’s 5G rollout reaches 26pc as internet use jumps
What you need to know:
- The number of internet users rose to 54.1 million by the end of June 2025, up by 9.6 percent from 49.3 million in March
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s drive towards a digital economy is gaining pace, with 5G network coverage reaching 26 percent, signalling robust growth in the telecommunications sector.
This progress coincides with a sharp rise in internet usage.
According to the latest Communications Statistics Report released on Wednesday by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the number of internet users rose to 54.1 million by the end of June 2025, up by 9.6 percent from 49.3 million in March.
The report, signed by TCRA director general Jabiri Bakari, highlights strong developments across telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal and courier services.
It shows that registered SIM cards have surged to 92.7 million in a country with an estimated population of over 65 million, indicating that many individuals own multiple SIMs for personal, business, and social purposes.
“In general, all three subsectors, telecommunications, postal and courier services, and broadcasting, continued to expand in service volume and competitive offerings,” Dr Bakari said.
The rise in internet users is linked to greater smartphone adoption. As of June 2025, smartphone penetration reached 36.75 percent, up from 35.29 percent in March.
Feature phone use also rose to 84.97 percent, from 82.64 percent in the previous quarter.
“The steady growth in mobile ownership reflects not only technological advancement but also growing public trust in digital infrastructure,” Dr Bakari noted.
Network coverage across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies has expanded, with ongoing efforts to reach more of the population and geographic areas.
A key highlight is the narrowing gender gap in SIM ownership: of the 92.7 million mobile lines, 47.1 million are registered to men and 44.5 million to women, signalling increasing gender inclusion in the digital economy.
“Women in both urban and rural areas are increasingly using mobile services to access financial tools, connect to markets, and benefit from essential social services.”
In rural areas, where infrastructure challenges remain, mobile phones are vital for accessing health information, educational content, and market data, improving household welfare and promoting community development.
The expanding mobile connectivity also sends a clear signal to investors and service providers that Tanzania’s digital economy is flourishing.
Telecom firms are continuing to roll out 4G and 5G services, offer affordable smartphones, and launch cost-effective data bundles to meet growing demand.
According to TCRA, the telecommunications sector is key to achieving national development targets outlined in the Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) and the National Digital Economy Framework.
Greater access to mobile platforms has empowered Tanzanians to launch businesses, conduct secure digital transactions, and participate in online training, contributing significantly to youth employment and rural growth.
“With mobile technology touching nearly every aspect of daily life, the outlook for Tanzania’s telecommunications sector remains highly promising,” Dr Bakari said.
He added that continued investment in infrastructure, improved digital literacy and relevant content development will unlock more opportunities and cement technology as a pillar of national progress.
The rising number of mobile subscribers strongly indicates Tanzania’s readiness to embrace the digital revolution and its resilience in harnessing technology for inclusive development.
