Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is on the cusp of achieving universal rural connectivity, having successfully completed and activated 741 out of 758 planned communication masts.
This represents a remarkable 97.76 percent completion rate.
This ambitious infrastructure project, driven through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), is rapidly closing the country’s digital divide.
By October 23, 2025, the ongoing rollout had connected approximately 1,300 villages, out of a target of 1,407, which previously lacked essential mobile network services across 713 wards nationwide.
The 741 operational masts are already delivering crucial services to citizens, transforming remote communities.
The government has fuelled this success with a substantial Sh126 billion subsidy, allocated to mobile network operators as a grant to deliver connectivity to commercially non-viable areas.
These efforts align with the national strategy to ensure every Tanzanian benefits from technological progress.
Analysis of the project’s performance shows several mobile operators achieved perfect scores in their assigned construction targets.
Honora, Vodacom, and TTCL each completed 100 per cent of their allocated sites.
Specifically, Honora delivered 261 masts, Vodacom delivered 190, and TTCL delivered 104.
The overall success rate was bolstered by strong performances from Halotel, which completed 33 out of 34 masts (97pc), and Airtel, which finished 153 out of 169 (91pc).
This infrastructure revolution is expected to have a profound impact, enabling rural citizens to seamlessly access digital financial services, participate in e-commerce, and utilise online education and telemedicine, fundamentally improving livelihoods and unlocking new economic potential in previously underserved regions.
The remaining 17 masts are expected to be commissioned shortly, paving the way for Tanzania to achieve its goal of comprehensive national network coverage.
