Tanzania's telecom sector approaches saturation point with 98% penetration rate

Tanzania's communication sector has neared 100% penetration, with a current overall penetration rate of 98%, according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Dar es Salaam leads other regions with 18% of all active subscriptions, followed by Mwanza and Arusha with 6.4% and 6%, respectively. Despite this growth, telecom penetration has almost reached its maximum potential, with numbers hovering around 98% in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.

TCRA Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari commented on the report, stating that the development is a testament to the positive strides made by the telecom industry in expanding access to communication services throughout the country. The regulator is optimistic that the trend will continue as more people embrace the use of mobile phones for communication and other services.

Tanzania's growth in the telecom sector is not unique to the country, as the trend of telecom subscriptions in East Africa and Africa has been marked by steady growth over the past five years. More and more people are gaining access to mobile phones and other telecommunication devices, leading to a rise in the number of subscriptions.

The positive growth in Tanzania's communication sector is a testament to the country's efforts to expand access to communication services, which has resulted in more people being able to communicate and access other services through their mobile phones.