UCSAF invests 29bn/- in telecom towers

MWANZA: THE government is investing 29 billion/- to construct 287 telecommunications towers under the 10th phase of the Universal Communications Service project.

The project is expected to improve communication services in 287 wards and 359 villages, benefiting approximately 2.9 million people.

The project targets rural and other underserved areas where telecommunications operators have limited commercial incentives to invest.

Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) Lake Zone Manager, Advocate Fredy Kandonga, disclosed this recently in Mwanza during a seminar for editors aimed at enhancing understanding of UCSAF activities and its contribution to expanding telecommunications services.

He said the project is expected to be completed by March next year, with seven towers already operational.

In the Lake Zone, 67 towers are being constructed, including six in Shinyanga, seven in Geita, eight in Simiyu, 11 in Mara, 14 in Kagera and 21 in Mwanza. One tower in the zone is already operational.

“The goal is to ensure that all citizens have access to quality telecommunications services regardless of their geographical location, economic status or social circumstances,” he said.

Adv Kandonga said UCSAF projects are financed through government grants, levies paid by licensed telecommunications operators, support from development partners and donors, and income from UCSAF investments.

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He said 431 existing towers had also been upgraded from 2G to 2G/3G/4G technology at a cost of 9.14bn/-, funded through government grants.

The upgrades are intended to improve internet access and support e-learning, e-commerce and digital financial services.

Adv Kandonga said UCSAF was also implementing an ICT project targeting female students, with 240 beneficiaries in 2025/26 and another 250 expected in 2026/27, including 45 from the Lake Zone.

The project seeks to reduce the gender gap in ICT training and encourage girls to pursue science subjects through President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s STEM scholarship programme.

He said 1,121 public schools had so far been connected to the internet, while preparations were underway to facilitate construction of ICT laboratories in 422 schools during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.