The government has commended telecommunications firm YAS Tanzania for its growing contribution to the country’s digital economy while urging the company to expand its investment in communications infrastructure to support long-term national development goals.
Khamis Mussa Omar said the telecommunications sector remains a key driver of economic transformation and innovation, calling on YAS Tanzania to increase its investment in digital infrastructure and services in line with the objectives of Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
The minister made the remarks during a meeting with the management of YAS Tanzania at the Ministry of Finance sub-office in Dar es Salaam, where the two sides discussed investment opportunities and the role of telecommunications in accelerating economic growth and technological development.
Omar said YAS Tanzania continues to be among the major telecommunications operators in the country and an important partner to the government in expanding communications and information technology services.
He noted that despite undergoing several ownership and brand transitions over the years, the company has maintained a consistent presence in the telecommunications industry since its early days operating as Mobitel Tanzania during the formative years of mobile telephony in the country.
According to the minister, YAS Tanzania has invested about TZS 1.4 trillion over the past four years in strengthening communications infrastructure nationwide, helping to expand digital connectivity and stimulate the growth of the digital economy.
The company has also contributed approximately TZS 576 billion in taxes during the same period, a contribution that has supported government revenues used to finance development projects.
Omar further commended the company for supporting community development initiatives, including environmental conservation programmes and digital skills training aimed at empowering young people.
Such initiatives, he said, are essential in preparing Tanzania’s workforce to participate effectively in a modern technology-driven economy.
He urged the company to continue scaling up its investment in the telecommunications sector, noting that the industry has the potential to play a greater role in driving economic growth and achieving the targets set under the country’s long-term development agenda.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to improve the investment environment and consider recommendations from telecommunications stakeholders to enhance the sector’s contribution to social and economic development.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of YAS Tanzania, Pierre Canton Bacara, said the company remains committed to supporting Tanzania’s digital transformation by investing in modern technologies and expanding access to digital services.
He said the company would continue strengthening communications infrastructure while supporting government initiatives aimed at improving productivity, expanding access to financial services and accelerating the growth of the digital economy.
Bacara noted that through its investments, YAS Tanzania has expanded access to digital communication and financial services for millions of Tanzanians while supporting the government’s goal of building an inclusive technology-driven economy.
He stressed that strong collaboration between the government and the private sector is essential in promoting innovation, expanding digital services and enabling citizens to participate more actively in the modern economy.
“Our goal is to remain a trusted digital partner to the Government of Tanzania in supporting the implementation of long-term national development priorities, including the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and the Digital Economy Strategic Framework 2024–2034,” Bacara said.
He added that strong and inclusive digital infrastructure is essential for improving economic productivity, encouraging innovation, expanding financial inclusion and supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
In recent years, the company has continued to invest heavily in expanding and upgrading its network infrastructure, with its 4G and 5G networks now reaching more than 95 percent of Tanzanians.
More than 22 million customers currently use the company’s digital financial service Mixx by YAS, conducting transactions worth more than TZS 7 trillion.
Additionally, over 250,000 agents and more than 500,000 merchants are using the Lipa Kwa Simu platform, which processes transactions exceeding TZS 700 billion each month.
The expansion of such digital services, Bacara said, is playing a key role in strengthening financial inclusion and accelerating the growth of Tanzania’s digital economy.
