Tanzania nears 70bn/- fibre deal with DRC
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is in the final stages of implementing a 70bn/- fibre optic expansion project to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), targeting over 10 million people in Kinshasa as part of efforts to boost national revenue and strengthen regional connectivity.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Ms Angela Kairuki, said the government is completing key procedures ahead of signing a bilateral agreement with the DRC to roll out the project.
She said this on Tuesday while briefing the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure following its visit to Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation Limited (TTCL) and the National Internet Data Centre (NIDC).
The minister said the project will link Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone to Kinshasa, opening access to one of Central Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets and positioning the country as a regional connectivity hub.
“Kinshasa alone has a population of over 10 million people, making it a strategic market for expanding services and increasing national revenue,” she said.
Ms Kairuki said the government has already allocated 30bn/- in the current financial year to support initial implementation, with additional resources expected to be mobilised as the project progresses.
She stated that once the remaining technical and administrative processes are completed, ministers from both countries will meet to sign the agreement and begin execution of the project.
The minister said the expansion forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance cross-border connectivity and support economic growth through increased access to affordable and reliable internet services.
In addition to the fibre expansion, Ms Kairuki said the government is planning to introduce a community-based digital payment system similar to an N-Card to support economic transformation and improve financial inclusion.
She said the system is expected to enhance government revenue collection while simplifying transactions and improving the business environment for both large-scale investors and small traders.
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On his part, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Mr Selemani Kakoso, said the committee has directed the government to fast-track the rollout, warning that delays could limit Tanzania’s ability to benefit from growing regional demand for data services.
He said Tanzania must act swiftly to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the DRC market, noting that demand for internet connectivity continues to rise across the region.
“We have instructed the government, through TTCL, to expedite the process to widen market access and boost national earnings,” he said.
The committee also called for timely disbursement of funds, including 70bn/- earmarked for upgrading infrastructure, improving service delivery and strengthening TTCL’s operational capacity.
Mr Kakoso said the committee was satisfied with TTCL’s recent performance, including its return to profitability, but stressed the importance of sustained government oversight to ensure efficiency, competitiveness and long-term sustainability
