Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan met the founder and chairman of Airtel, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, at State House in Dar es Salaam on August 13, 2025.
They reviewed progress on national digitalisation efforts and explore ways to speed up broadband access across the country.
The meeting took place just a day after Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group signed a landmark deal to share network infrastructure in several African countries, including Tanzania.
This agreement aims at boosting digital inclusion and is expected to accelerate the rollout of network services to underserved communities.
The discussions between President Hassan and Mr Mittal are a continuation of a strategic dialogue that began during the President’s state visit to India in October 2023.
At that time, Mr Mittal praised Tanzania’s progress in digital adoption and committed to enhancing collaboration.
A key outcome of their previous meeting was an agreement for Airtel Tanzania to install 758 new communication towers across the country, a crucial step towards the national goal of achieving at least 85 percent internet penetration by the end of 2025.
Airtel Tanzania, in which the government holds a significant 49 percent stake, is a vital partner in the nation’s digital transformation agenda.
The company has made substantial investments in expanding its network, including the rollout of advanced 4G and 5G technology.
This strategic public-private partnership is central to the government’s plan for fostering sustainable development and ensuring digital inclusion for all Tanzanians.
The company’s contributions have been widely recognised for their positive impact on economic growth.
