Tanzania blocks 39,000 numbers linked to fraud in its intensified war against cybercrime

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has intensified measures to protect communication service users and curb cybercrime, with more than 39,000 phone numbers linked to fraud blocked during the 2025/26 financial year.

Speaking when briefing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure in Dodoma on the performance of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) and TCRA Consumer Consultative Council (TCRA-CCC) the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, said 39,117 numbers associated with fraudulent activities were blocked through short code 15040, while 6,118 domains and applications that violated the law were also blocked.

Additionally, the minister said that the government, through TCRA, also submitted 56 security incident reports to the Police Force during the period as part of efforts to address cyber-related crimes and protect citizens using digital services.

She said authorities further removed 7,311 accounts found to have violated the law, as part of measures to promote safer use of communication and digital platforms.

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The minister said TCRA-CCC had continued to protect consumers’ interests through the 2021 Bundled Services Regulations, the introduction of a digital consumer application and public awareness campaigns.

“We have also sensitised consumer committees in 22 regions through the media and social media platforms on issues affecting communication service users.

On ICT skills development, she noted that ICTC has continued building the capacity of professionals and youth, with 305 specialists trained in cybersecurity, while 500 university students from seven institutions had received training in systems innovation.

“The ICTC has also provided advice on 45 curricula, while 2,054 ICT professionals and 161 technology start-ups have been registered,” she said..

In promoting innovation and technology use, the minister said ICTC had organised various conferences, including TAIC 2024, which attracted more than 1,400 participants, the AI Forum with 420 participants and TAIC 2026, which brought together more than 2,000 participants from Tanzania and abroad.