Airtel Tanzania, through its Airtel Money platform, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO) under the initiative “Airtel Money & ZECO Partnership – Tukuza Kidigitali.”
This collaboration is set to revolutionize prepaid electricity payments across the islands, making transactions faster, simpler, and more accessible for all customers.
By integrating digital solutions into everyday utilities, Airtel and
ZECO aim to empower communities and accelerate Zanzibar’s journey toward a
fully digital economy.
Through “Airtel
Money & ZECO Partnership – Tukuza Kidigitali”, customers can now purchase TUKUZA
electricity tokens instantly using their Airtel Money mobile wallet, offering
greater convenience, accessibility, and efficiency for customers anytime and
anywhere.
Speaking during the Airtel Money & ZECO Partnership launch, Deputy Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals Mr Seif Kombo Pandu said “Airtel & ZECO Partnership – Tukuza Kidigitali” as an important step in Zanzibar’s digital transformation and public service modernization agenda.
"Airtel Money and ZECO partnership demonstrates our
commitment to delivering modern, accessible, and secure services to wananchi
through digital technology," he said
Mr Pandu emphasized the critical role electricity continues to play in Zanzibar’s
economic growth by supporting tourism, healthcare, education, industries, and
small businesses across the islands.
“Without
electricity, development slows down. Every effort made to improve access to
electricity services contributes directly to Zanzibar’s growth and
development,” he added.
The Airtel &
ZECO partnership Tukuza Kidigitali also aligns with Zanzibar’s broader energy
sector reforms under the Zanzibar Energy Policy 2025 and the 15-Year Power
Development Plan (2025–2040), which seek to strengthen energy security, reduce
electricity costs, and expand domestic power generation.
On his part Airtel Money Director, Mr. Andrew Rugamba, stated that the “Airtel & ZECO Partnership – Tukuza Kidigitali” reflects a shared commitment to enhancing convenience while expanding digital financial services to more citizens across Zanzibar.
He emphasized that beyond electricity
payments, Airtel continues to broaden its digital offerings to support
government payments, merchant transactions, business services, digital
connectivity services and wider financial inclusion across Tanzania
underscoring Airtel’s role in strengthening the country’s digital economy.
PBZ Managing Director, Mr. Arafat Ally Haji, said “The Airtel Money & ZECO Partnership Tukuza Kidigitali demonstrates customer convenience".
He emphasized:
trough Airtel Money & ZECO initiative, PBZ continues to reinforce its role
in supporting Airtel Money agents/WAKALA across Zanzibar, ensuring WAKALA’s
always have sufficient float to serve customers seamlessly.
“PBZ remains a key banking partner for Airtel
Money, providing liquidity support to agents so they can credit customers
instantly and complete transactions efficiently, including purchases under Tukuza
Kidigitali.”
Overall, Airtel
& ZECO Partnership Tukuza Kidigitali demonstrates how public-private
partnerships can accelerate digital transformation, improve access to essential
services, and strengthen financial inclusion within emerging economies.
