As of March 2025, Tanzania reached 90.4 million mobile subscriptions, marking a significant growth of 76.5% from 51.2 million in 2020. In the most recent quarter alone (Jan–Mar 2025), subscriptions increased by 4.1%, up from 86.8 million in December 2024. Fixed lines remain minimal, at just 0.09% of total subscriptions. Vodacom leads the mobile market with 31.7% share, followed by Yas (28.7%) and Airtel (22.9%). Gender distribution is almost equal, with 51% male and 49% female users, while Dar es Salaam accounts for 18% of the national total, with 16.6 million mobile lines.

Number of Mobile and Fixed Lines from January to March 2025

This table shows the monthly registration totals of mobile and fixed-line telephone subscriptions. Mobile lines dominate, accounting for over 99.9% of all subscriptions. There is consistent monthly growth, with a total increase of over 2.2 million new lines in the first quarter of 2025.

Share (%) of P2P Lines Registered by Each Operator (March 2025)

This table represents the market share of Person-to-Person (P2P) mobile lines by telecom operator. Vodacom leads the market, followed closely by Yas and Airtel. TTCL, primarily a fixed-line service provider, has a small market share in mobile.

Number of P2P Mobile Lines by Gender (March 2025)

Mobile phone ownership shows a nearly even gender distribution, with males slightly leading. This reflects relatively equal access to mobile services among Tanzanian men and women.

Quarterly Trend of Mobile Lines (2024–Q1 2025)

This quarterly trend shows rapid and steady growth in mobile subscriptions. From June 2024 to March 2025, Tanzania added approximately 13.8 million new mobile lines, indicating strong market penetration and mobile service adoption.

Annual Trend of Mobile Lines (2020–2024)

Over the five-year period, Tanzania saw nearly 70% growth in mobile subscriptions. The most significant increase occurred from 2022 to 2024, reflecting the effects of digital transformation, mobile money growth, and telecom competition.

Mobile Line Usage by Top 10 Regions (March 2025)

These figures reflect regional penetration of mobile communication services. Urbanized and economically vibrant regions like Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha dominate due to high population density, better infrastructure, and business activity. This geographic concentration highlights opportunities for targeted telecom investments in less-served areas.

What It Tells Us:

1. Rapid Growth in Mobile Connectivity

• Mobile subscriptions grew from 86.8 million in Dec 2024 to 90.3 million by March 2025, a 4.1% increase in just one quarter.
• This shows a very high demand for mobile communication, likely driven by affordable services, mobile money, and digital adoption.

2. Fixed Lines Are Nearly Obsolete

• Only around 79,000 fixed lines exist, compared to 90 million mobile lines.
• Fixed lines represent less than 0.1% of all lines, confirming that mobile is the dominant telecom platform in Tanzania.

3. Fair Gender Access

• Males (51%) and females (49%) own mobile lines in almost equal measure.
• This suggests equitable access to mobile services, an important sign for digital inclusion efforts.

4. Intense Competition Among Mobile Operators

• Vodacom (31.7%), Yas (28.7%), and Airtel (22.9%) dominate the market.
• Yas (formerly Tigo) has grown significantly, overtaking Airtel.
• This competitive environment may drive better pricing, services, and innovation.

5. Strong Urban and Regional Disparities

• Dar es Salaam alone has over 16 million lines, nearly 18% of all lines in the country.
• Other urban centers like Mwanza, Arusha, and Mbeya also show high numbers.
• It reveals urban dominance, but also shows where rural telecom investments could grow.

6. Consistent Year-on-Year Growth

• Mobile lines grew from 51 million in 2020 to over 90 million in 2025 — a 76% increase in 5 years.
• Tanzania is catching up fast with global connectivity trends, especially in mobile-first economies.

Policy & Business Implications

• For the government: there's an opportunity to close rural and digital gender gaps.
• For businesses: there's a growing, competitive, and increasingly inclusive market for mobile services.
• For investors: Tanzania’s telecom sector shows strong growth potential with room for infrastructure and digital service expansion.