Telecom expansion brings millions online

DAR ES SALAAM: TELECOM expansion in Tanzania is bringing millions of new users online, as sustained investment in network infrastructure improves coverage, boosts data speeds and extends mobile internet access to previously underserved rural and peri-urban areas.

This infrastructure led growth is reshaping digital inclusion and supporting broader economic participation across the country. According to the latest data from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), internet subscriptions rose by 3.2 per cent, increasing from 56.3 million in September last year to 58.1 million by December.

Airtel Tanzania, one of the country’s largest telecommunications operators, attributes the increased internet users to its growth to a deliberate strategy of network expansion, particularly through targeted tower deployments that have enhanced coverage, capacity and service quality across key markets.

The latest TCRA data shows that Airtel’s mobile internet market share rose to 21.04 per cent from 20.7 per cent in September, underscoring how ongoing infrastructure expansion is driving steady subscriber growth and reinforcing the company’s competitive position in the mobile market.

This 0.34 percentagepoint increase underscores a gradual consolidation of Airtel’s user base amid strong competition in the Tanzanian telecoms sector.

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The Company is rapidly expanding its infrastructure to boost network coverage and increase its internet market share, with a focus on 4G/5G, particularly in rural areas through partnerships with Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF). Airtel Tanzania’s Managing Director, Mr Charles Kamoto, said recently that the company’s partnership with UCSAF under Phase 10 underscores its commitment to accelerating digital inclusion.

By constructing 132 of the 201 planned sites, Airtel is playing a leading role in expanding connectivity to underserved areas, strengthening national digital infrastructure and reinforcing its position as a key driver of inclusive growth in Tanzania.

In recent months, Airtel Tanzania has accelerated the rollout of new communication towers across the Central, Lake, Southern, Northern and Coastal zones, reflecting a deliberate strategy to deepen network reach and improve service reliability.

The expansion has been particularly concentrated in underserved rural and periurban areas, where network quality has historically constrained data usage, mobile money adoption and customer retention.

As of early 2026, ongoing tower installations in regions such as Singida, Dodoma and Shinyanga indicate a targeted investment approach aimed at consolidating Airtel’s competitive position in highgrowth but infrastructuredeficient markets. By strengthening coverage in these regions, Airtel is not only addressing connectivity gaps but also positioning itself to capture incremental subscribers and increase average revenue per user (ARPU).

This infrastructure push is likely to reinforce its already substantial market presence, building on its ranking as one of the largest mobile operator in the country as of late 2024, while intensifying competition with the market leader in both voice and data services.

These infrastructure investments not only enhance basic connectivity but also support higher-speed data services, enabling more users to access mobile internet and advanced digital applications. According to TCRA data, Airtel also demonstrated strong performance in fixed internet subscriptions during the review quarter, recording a significant increase to 157,448 from 120,652 in September.

This growth underscores the operator’s effectiveness in capturing rising demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity, particularly among businesses, institutions, and high-usage households. The expansion in fixed internet subscriptions complements Airtel’s mobile data growth, indicating a broader convergence strategy that leverages network investments and bundled service offerings.

It also suggests a diversification of revenue streams beyond traditional mobile services, potentially enhancing revenue stability and customer stickiness. In a market where fixed broadband penetration remains relatively low, Airtel’s gains point to an emerging competitive advantage in addressing unmet demand for dependable, high-capacity internet access.

Airtel Tanzania’s mobile money market share increased to 18.5 per cent from 18.1 per cent in September, signalling continued traction for Airtel Money during the review period. The gain is strategically significant in a highly competitive and increasingly mature mobile financial services market.

The growth reflects steady user adoption supported by an expanding agent network, improved service reliability, and the rollout of enhanced digital payment solutions. Rising customer reliance on mobile financial services for everyday transactions, remittances and merchant payments has further reinforced Airtel Money’s relevance.

For example, Airtel Tanzania, through its Head of Communication Mr Jackson Mmbando said the ongoing ‘Mwaka Umenyooka na MyAirtel Money App’ campaign, designed to drive greater adoption of digital financial services has attracted thousands of participants across the country.

The performance of Airtel Money complements the company’s strong momentum in mobile and fixed internet segments, suggesting effective cross-selling and ecosystem integration that strengthen customer retention and long-term revenue growth.

Airtel Tanzania recorded 119,439,000 mobile money transactions during the review period, up from 104,450,278 in September, representing a 14.3 per cent increase. This acceleration points to a deepening intensity of usage rather than mere subscriber growth, indicating that customers are increasingly relying on Airtel Money for routine payments, peerto-peer transfers and bill settlements.