Tanzania's communications sector continued its strong growth trajectory in the quarter ending March 2026, with mobile subscriptions, internet usage and telecommunications infrastructure all expanding as the country advances its digital transformation agenda.
According to the latest quarterly sector statistics released by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), total telecommunications subscriptions increased by 4.6 percent to 111.9 million in March 2026 from 106.9 million recorded in December 2025.
The growth underscores the increasing role of digital connectivity in supporting economic activity, financial inclusion and access to information across the country.
Dar es Salaam remained Tanzania's largest telecommunications market, accounting for 20.6 million subscriptions, reflecting the region's position as the country's commercial and technological hub.
Internet adoption also continued to rise, with subscriptions increasing by 1.5 percent to 58.9 million from 58.1 million in the previous quarter.
Demand for data services remained particularly strong, with total data traffic surging by 15.3 percent to 932 petabytes from 808 petabytes recorded three months earlier.
The sharp increase in data consumption highlights growing reliance on digital platforms for communication, business transactions, entertainment and public services.
Mobile broadband continued to dominate internet access in Tanzania, accounting for 58 percent of all internet subscriptions, reinforcing the central role of mobile networks in connecting millions of Tanzanians to the digital economy.
The report also showed steady growth in smartphone ownership, which increased by 4.6 percent from 28.5 million devices in December 2025 to 29.8 million in March 2026.
Sector growth was supported by continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure. The number of telecom towers increased from 10,029 to 10,084 during the quarter, extending network coverage and supporting rising demand for broadband services.
Despite the increase in internet usage, traditional communication services continued to face pressure from changing consumer behavior.
Local voice traffic declined by 3.8 percent during the quarter, while SMS traffic fell by 4.7 percent, reflecting the growing popularity of internet-based messaging and communication applications.
In the broadcasting segment, the number of television decoders decreased slightly by 1 percent to 2.09 million from 2.11 million recorded in December 2025.
However, cable television subscriptions posted modest growth, rising by 3 percent to 17,803 from 17,280 subscribers.
The postal and courier sector also maintained its contribution to commerce and communication despite increasing digitization.
According to the report, the sector served 170,352 corporate and individual domestic customers during the quarter.
A total of 546,644 postal items were dispatched within Tanzania and 32,565 internationally. Delivery volumes were even higher, with operators successfully delivering 907,759 domestic items and 44,555 international consignments.
The figures highlight the continued importance of postal and courier services in supporting e-commerce, logistics and business operations across the country.
Despite the sector's positive performance, TCRA identified several challenges that could slow the pace of digital inclusion.
Smartphone penetration remains relatively low at 42.5 percent, limiting access to broadband internet services for a significant portion of the population.
The regulator also noted a 23.7 percent gap in broadband geographical coverage, leaving some areas underserved by modern communications infrastructure.
Fraudulent activities targeting communications networks and users in some regions were also cited as an ongoing concern requiring increased vigilance and investment in security systems.
Looking ahead, TCRA said sector priorities will focus on expanding broadband infrastructure, increasing adoption of digital services and strengthening the safety and security of communications networks.
The latest figures suggest Tanzania's communications industry remains one of the country's fastest-growing sectors, playing an increasingly important role in driving digital transformation, supporting innovation and enabling broader socio-economic development.
