More Tanzanians are set to benefit from improved communication services as the Government continues investing in telecommunications infrastructure, with the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) having completed 2,199 communication towers out of 2,324 planned nationwide.
The investment is expected to improve access to reliable mobile and internet services, particularly in rural communities and other areas where private telecommunications investment has been limited.
UCSAF Acting Director General Albert Richard said the achievement was part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that communication services reach more citizens, regardless of their geographical location.
Richard, who is also the Fund's Director of Research and Development, made the remarks on November 3, 2026, during a meeting with editors and journalists in Dar es Salaam. The meeting was organised by the Treasury Registrar's Office to provide updates on the implementation of UCSAF projects.
He said the projects had covered 31 regions across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, with 2,053 of the 2,306 targeted wards already having access to communication services.
Richard said all 758 communication towers under one major project had been completed and switched on, benefiting approximately 8.5 million people in 713 wards and 1,401 villages.
The project, which involved an investment of TZS 126 billion, was implemented in collaboration with telecommunications companies Airtel, Viettel, Yas, TTCL and Vodacom.
He added that the Government was implementing the 10th phase of the communication infrastructure programme, involving the construction of 287 towers in 287 wards.
So far, 65 towers have been switched on, representing 23 per cent of the project's implementation progress.
The TZS 29 billion project was launched on December 5, 2025, and is expected to be completed within 15 months.
Improved communication infrastructure is expected to create more opportunities for citizens, including easier access to information, mobile financial services, online businesses, education and other digital services.
Beyond mobile connectivity, UCSAF is also investing in broadcasting infrastructure to improve access to public information.
Richard said the Fund had financed the construction of 11 Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) transmission stations, all of which had been completed at a cost of TZS 2.5 billion. Another 26 stations are at different stages of implementation.
In the education sector, 1,167 public schools had benefited from ICT equipment and computer laboratory projects, supported by Government investment of TZS 17.7 billion by October 2026.
The Fund had also extended support to 22 schools serving learners with special needs through the provision of ICT equipment, promoting inclusive education and giving more learners opportunities to participate in the digital economy.
Richard said UCSAF would continue working with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and other stakeholders to extend communication services to communities that are often overlooked because they offer limited commercial returns to telecommunications investors.
The Fund is also supporting the modernisation of postal services through the Tanzania Posts Corporation by providing equipment aimed at improving efficiency and making services more accessible to the public.
During the 2024/25 financial year, UCSAF supplied 50 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices, 30 desktop computers, seven laptops, 30 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units and five heavy-duty photocopiers.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the Fund planned to provide additional equipment, including 50 PDA devices, five industrial printers, seven desktop computers, seven laptops, five UPS units and four photocopiers.
In another initiative aimed at expanding digital inclusion, UCSAF has established free public internet access points at selected locations across the country.
These include the Sabasaba International Trade Fair grounds in Dar es Salaam, Nyerere Square in Dodoma, Nyamagana Market in Mwanza and Tabora Market.
The initiative is intended to enable citizens, particularly those who may not afford regular internet subscriptions, to access online services, obtain information and explore digital business opportunities.
UCSAF is also working to connect local government offices to the National ICT Broadband Backbone through fibre-optic infrastructure, a move expected to improve internet reliability and strengthen the delivery of public services.
Richard said 10 locations had already been identified, with the procurement process underway to select a contractor for the project.
To strengthen digital skills in the education sector, UCSAF has also financed ICT training for 5,094 teachers from public primary and secondary schools across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar since the 2016/17 financial year.
A further 692 teachers are expected to benefit during the 2026/27 financial year, including 100 teachers with special needs.
The continued investment in communication infrastructure, digital education and public internet access reflects the Government's broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that more Tanzanians benefit from technological advancements.
Through these initiatives, UCSAF aims to make communication and digital services more accessible, particularly for communities that have traditionally faced challenges in accessing reliable connectivity, while supporting education, business growth and the country's wider digital economy.