Tanzania celebrates safer internet day as subscriptions surge

DODOMA: TANZANIA is marking World Safer Internet Day with a globally recognised cybersecurity ranking and an 86 per cent increase in internet subscriptions over the past five years.

Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr Jabiri Bakari said in Dodoma yesterday that Tanzania is leading in East and Central Africa, ranking third in Africa and among the top 46 countries worldwide in cybersecurity excellence.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated annually to raise public awareness about protecting against internet scams and identity theft.

In Dodoma, TCRA organised several activities, including a stakeholder forum, as part of the national celebrations.

Ahead of SID 2025, TCRA hosted a CyberChampions grant competition in Dodoma, involving 697 scholars from 43 universities.

Four winners, selected from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) and Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU), were awarded internships at the Institute of Research and Innovations under the Electronic Government (eGA).

As Tanzania celebrates SID 2025, the 2024 Global Security Index (GCI) reveals that the country has climbed nine places in Africa and three places in East Africa since 2015.

In 2015, Tanzania ranked 12th in Africa and 4th in East Africa, but in 2024, the country moved up to 3rd and 1st in Africa and East Africa, respectively.

Dr Bakari explained that legal, technical, organisational, capacity development and cooperation measures contributed to Tanzania’s improved ranking.

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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which publishes the GCI, evaluates countries based on their performance in five key pillars representing cybersecurity commitments.

This year’s SID theme is “Too good to be true? Protect yourself and others from scams online,” promoting awareness of responsible internet use and the importance of remaining vigilant.

Experts warn that technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and deepfakes, have made scams harder to detect, highlighting the need for ongoing education and collaboration to ensure a safer online environment.

According to TCRA’s latest communications statistics, Tanzania’s internet subscriptions surged by 86.2 per cent between January 2020 and December 2024, growing from 25.8 million to 48.0 million.

Subscriptions increased by 65 per cent from March 2021 to December 2024 and by 33 per cent between January and December 2024.

The percentage of the population covered by advanced mobile phone technologies, which drive internet growth, rose by 33 to 39 percentage points between March 2021 and December 2024.

Smartphone penetration among the population also increased from 22 to 36 per cent during this period.

These advancements reflect the government’s commitment to expanding broadband internet access, providing services in public spaces like hospitals, educational institutions and transport hubs and promoting internet-based transactions.

The aim is to boost the communications sector’s contribution to Tanzania’s economy. High-speed internet is set to improve significantly by 2028 after TCRA’s auction and licensing of the 3600-3800 MHz spectrum bands on July 10, 2025.

Dr Bakari explained that successful bidders will be required to extend their services to at least six administrative regions by 2028 and they must maintain a presence in all regional headquarters by 2033.

The new spectrum will expand mobile broadband access to a broader Tanzanian population, driving the country’s economic development, particularly in the digital economy.

He added that enhanced mobile and fixed broadband services would benefit various sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and financial services through ICT.