Tanzania, COMESA seek affordable digital connectivity
DODOMA: Tanzania’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding affordable, inclusive and sustainable digital connectivity through collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), development partners and the private sector.
Acting Director for Communications in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Florent Mtuka, said the government was committed to ensuring that investments in digital infrastructure translated into affordable and reliable services for citizens and institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary during the opening of a four-day national consultative engagement in Dodoma on October 20, 2026, Mr Mtuka said closing the digital divide required coordinated policies, sustainable financing and regional cooperation.
He said Tanzania had invested in the National ICT Broadband Backbone, data centres, digital government services and telecommunications networks to strengthen domestic and cross-border connectivity.
He added that the Digital Economy Strategic Framework 2024–2034 and the Digital Tanzania Project demonstrated the country’s determination to expand digital opportunities.
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However, Mr Mtuka noted that high deployment costs, dispersed populations, limited electricity infrastructure and uncertain commercial returns continued to hinder connectivity expansion in underserved communities.
He called for innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, concessional financing and infrastructure sharing, to reduce costs and attract investment.
The engagement, held under the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme, focuses on financing models, least-cost connectivity solutions, an integrated digital infrastructure planning platform and project preparation guidelines.
COMESA Telecommunications Office representative Mr Leonard Chitundu said millions of people in the region remained offline due to high infrastructure costs, fragmented planning and investment gaps.
He said the consultancy, led by Salience Consulting with COMESA’s technical coordination, would help countries identify connectivity gaps, improve infrastructure planning and develop sustainable financing approaches.
Mr Chitundu said geospatial data and coordinated planning would help avoid duplication, optimise resources and guide investment decisions.
He urged participants to share experiences and develop practical recommendations aligned with national and regional priorities.
The consultations are expected to produce financing recommendations, identify priority investment opportunities and strengthen data-sharing arrangements to support connectivity expansion across Eastern and Southern Africa.
