Yas Fiber Tanzania will invest about TZS 300 billion ($115 million) over the next 20 years to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure across Zanzibar under a public-private partnership agreement signed with the Zanzibar Information, Communication and Technology Infrastructure Agency (ZICTIA) and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
The project aims to connect about 100,000 households in Unguja and Pemba within its first three years, significantly expanding access to fiber internet services and supporting Zanzibar's ambition to build a digitally enabled economy.
The agreement is one of the largest long-term digital infrastructure investments announced for Zanzibar and is expected to improve internet access for households, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and government institutions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Zanzibar's Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Innovation, Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga, said the project demonstrated the government's commitment to using digital infrastructure to drive economic development.
"High-speed broadband connectivity is a critical enabler of innovation, investment and inclusive growth," Soraga said. "This collaboration will help position Zanzibar as a leading digital economy in the region while ensuring that citizens, businesses and institutions have access to the infrastructure needed to thrive in today's digital environment."
Director General of ZICTIA, Eng. Shukuru Awadh Suleiman, said the partnership would accelerate the rollout of fiber connectivity across the islands and improve access to quality internet services.
"This partnership will significantly accelerate the expansion of fiber connectivity across Zanzibar and bring quality broadband services closer to our people," Suleiman said. "It is a practical step towards building the digital infrastructure needed to support Zanzibar's future development."
Yas Fiber Chief Executive Officer Maxime Woimant said the investment reflected the company's long-term commitment to Tanzania's digital transformation agenda.
"This is one of the most significant digital infrastructure investments in Zanzibar's recent history," Woimant said. "Through this partnership, we will expand access to world-class broadband services that enable businesses to grow, students to learn, institutions to innovate and communities to participate fully in the digital economy."
Woimant said Yas Fiber viewed itself as more than an investor in the project.
"We see ourselves as a long-term development partner committed to expanding opportunity through connectivity," he said. "We are proud to work alongside the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and ZICTIA in building the digital foundation that will support the islands' future growth, competitiveness and prosperity."
Under the agreement, Yas Fiber will design, finance, deploy, commercialise, operate and maintain the fiber-to-the-home network during the concession period, while the Zanzibar government will facilitate regulatory support, project oversight and access rights required for implementation.
The project is expected to support digital adoption, entrepreneurship, e-government services, online learning and modern healthcare delivery, while strengthening Zanzibar's attractiveness as a destination for investment, tourism and business growth.
The partnership also includes commitments to digital skills development, knowledge transfer and local capacity building as Zanzibar seeks to establish itself as a regional digital hub in East Africa.
