Tanzania: UCSAF Five-Year Connectivity Strategy Adopted

• Tanzania's government has adopted a five-year strategy to expand mobile and internet services to underserved rural villages.
• Deputy Minister Dr. Switbert Mkama announced the plan, which integrates areas lacking reliable communication into the national connectivity programme.
• The Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) has included specific wards in projects ongoing since 2016, with some expected completion by March 2027.
• UCSAF will assess remaining connectivity gaps in other wards during the 2026/27 financial year for future implementation phases.
• The strategy aims to improve access to digital services, online businesses, and economic opportunities in rural communities, mirroring the universal service objective of the REA programme.

This strategic expansion of connectivity is not merely about access but is expected to significantly enhance opportunities for rural communities.

The Tanzanian government has formally adopted a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at significantly expanding mobile phone and internet services to currently underserved villages nationwide. This pivotal initiative, central to the Tanzania national connectivity programme, was announced by Deputy Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Switbert Mkama, during a session of the National Assembly. Dr. Mkama underscored the government's commitment to identifying and integrating areas that currently lack reliable communication infrastructure into the broader digital framework.

The announcement came in response to a fundamental inquiry from Member of Parliament Salim Hasham (Ulanga, CCM), who sought clarity on the timeline for extending mobile and internet access to specific villages within the Ruaha, Sali, Vigoi, Kichangani, Iragua, Ilonga, Mbuga, and Euga wards. The government's proactive stance, as articulated by Dr. Mkama, highlights a strategic push to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to modern communication tools across the country, aligning with the broader Tanzania UCSAF five-year connectivity strategy.

The Universal Communications Service Access Fund Tanzania (UCSAF) is at the forefront of implementing these critical communication projects. Dr. Mkama confirmed that the aforementioned wards – Ruaha, Sali, Vigoi, Kichangani, Iragua, Ilonga, Mbuga, and Euga – have been integrated into UCSAF-led initiatives that commenced as early as 2016. Significant progress has already been made, with various telecommunications operators successfully extending services to several wards.

Looking ahead, the telecommunications expansion Tanzania villages will see continued advancement. Specifically, work in Ruaha, Euga, Ilonga, and Mbuga is projected to reach completion by March 2027. For the remaining villages in Sali, Vigoi, Kichangani, and Iragua, UCSAF plans to conduct detailed assessments during the 2026/27 financial year. These evaluations are crucial for pinpointing any lingering connectivity gaps, which will then inform and shape the subsequent phases of implementation under the national strategy.

During the parliamentary session, MP Hasham posed a supplementary question, inquiring whether the government intended to adopt a model akin to the successful Rural Electrification Agency (REA) programme to guarantee universal mobile and internet service coverage. Dr. Mkama affirmed that this very objective is already a foundational element of the ministry's overarching five-year strategy, demonstrating a clear Tanzania rural digital access policy. This approach signals a robust commitment to ensuring that no village is left behind in the digital transformation.

Further assessments have been instrumental in identifying specific regions that necessitate additional investment to bolster ICT infrastructure development Tanzania. The Deputy Minister emphasized that this strategic expansion of connectivity is not merely about access but is expected to significantly enhance opportunities for rural communities. It will improve their engagement with digital services, foster the growth of online businesses, and unlock a myriad of other economic prospects, thereby transforming the socio-economic landscape of these areas. This Dr Switbert Mkama communication strategy is designed to be a catalyst for broader development.

Lawyers advising technology, e-commerce, or financial services clients in Tanzania should monitor this infrastructure expansion. Increased rural connectivity will open new markets and potentially lead to evolving regulatory frameworks for digital services, data privacy, and consumer protection in these previously underserved areas.

Source: Original reporting via Daily News