• Tanzania's TTCL expands its "Faiba Mlangoni Kwako" fiber internet project as the nation's subscriber base soars to 54 million, a 107% jump.
• As 4G technology dominates Tanzania's internet market, the FTTH sector is still in its infancy, with only 83k users, but it shows rapid and promising subscriber growth.
• Despite spearheading the national fiber project, state-owned TTCL holds a mere 3% market share, trailing giants Vodacom (32.8%) and Axian (28.8%).

Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) is expanding its "Faiba Mlangoni Kwako" (Fiber to Your Doorstep) initiative to key cities, including Dar es Salaam, the administrative capital, Dodoma, Arusha, and Mwanza. This push to deliver high-speed fiber optic internet directly to homes and businesses is a strategic move within one of Africa's fastest-growing digital markets.

"This advanced technology enables us to deliver reliable, high-speed internet that meets international standards," stated TTCL’s Director of Legal Services, Ms. Anita Moshi, according to the local newspaper Daily News. "Our priority is to ensure seamless connectivity that enhances both personal and professional experiences for our customers."

The expansion comes at a pivotal time for Tanzania's internet landscape. The nation's total internet subscriber base reached 54 million as of June 2025, marking a 107% increase from 2020. This growth has been accompanied by a significant technological shift, with 4G technology now surpassing 2G as the dominant internet service, connecting over 24 million users.

Within this booming market, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) remains a nascent but rapidly growing segment. While there are only 83,175 FTTH users nationwide, the sector is gaining momentum, adding over 4,000 new subscribers in a single quarter between April and June 2025. TTCL is a minor player in a highly competitive field. The state-owned firm holds just 3% of the total internet market share, trailing far behind industry giants like Vodacom (32.8%) and an Axian Telecom subsidiary (28.8%). Even within the fixed internet segment, TTCL currently ranks third, facing competition from Airtel (1st) and Vodacom (2nd).

The "Faiba Mlangoni Kwako" initiative is built upon a significant prior investment of TZS 600 billion (approximately $244.4 million USD) used to establish a 7,000-kilometer national fiber backbone. This project, in conjunction with a parallel government plan to construct 1,400 new communication towers for rural connectivity, forms a comprehensive national strategy to bridge the digital divide and build a more inclusive and robust digital economy for all Tanzanians.

Hikmatu Bilali, Edited by Idriss Linge

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