As of September 2024, Tanzania's telecommunications sector continues to expand rapidly, with mobile subscriptions reaching 80.7 million, a 5.4% increase from June's 76.6 million. Leading operators like Vodacom, Tigo, and Airtel dominate the market, while the number of M2M lines grew by 4.8%, reflecting progress in IoT adoption. Infrastructure development also surged, with 8,583 telecommunication towers and increasing 5G mast installations. Smartphone penetration climbed to 33.85%, further boosting digital access, especially in urban areas like Dar es Salaam, which leads with 14.8 million mobile lines.

1. Number of Mobile Lines:
   • As of September 2024, the number of registered mobile lines reached 80.7 million, up from 76.6 million by June 2024, representing a 5.4% increase.
   • During the quarter, there was an average 1.7% monthly increase in the registration of mobile and landline subscriptions.
   • Table 1.1.1 shows mobile line registrations for service providers (P2P - Person to Person):
     • Vodacom: 24.1 million
     • Airtel: 19.5 million
     • Tigo: 23.4 million
     • Halotel: 10.9 million
     • TTCL: 1.5 million
2. Machine to Machine (M2M) Lines:
   • M2M lines increased from 0.97 million (June 2024) to 1.02 million (September 2024), a 4.8% increase.
   • Vodacom leads in M2M line registrations, holding 56.2% of the market, followed by Airtel with 32.7%, and Halotel with 5.9%.
3. Number of Telecommunication Towers:
   • The total number of telecommunication towers in Tanzania reached 8,583 by September 2024.
     • Dar es Salaam leads with 1,156 towers, followed by Mwanza with 423 towers.
     • The region with the fewest towers is Katavi (94 towers).
4. Number of Communication Masts (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G):
   • As of September 2024, the number of masts was:
     • 2G: 13,579
     • 3G: 12,637
     • 4G: 12,260
     • 5G: 834 (an increase of 6% compared to previous months).
     • Dar es Salaam leads in all categories of communication masts.
5. Distribution of Mobile Lines by Region:
   • The top five regions with the highest number of mobile lines are:
     • Dar es Salaam: 14.8 million
     • Mwanza: 5.3 million
     • Arusha: 4.9 million
     • Mbeya: 4.6 million
     • Dodoma: 4.3 million
6. Communication Devices Using SIM Cards:
   • Smartphones have reached 33.85% penetration among the population by September 2024, up from 31.55% in June.
   • Feature phones have a penetration rate of 84.83%.

Statistics on mawasiliano ya simu from Tanzania for the period ending September 2024 with insights into the country's communication landscape

Tanzania’s telecommunication sector is rapidly expanding, with significant growth in mobile subscriptions, infrastructure, and smart device penetration. The dominance of key operators, the rise in machine-to-machine communications, and the growth of mobile money highlight the central role of telecommunications in the country’s digital and economic development. There’s clear momentum towards greater connectivity and access, particularly in urban areas, but there’s also growing attention to rural regions.

1. Rapid Growth in Mobile Subscriptions:

• The increase in mobile subscriptions from 76.6 million to 80.7 million in just three months (a growth of 5.4%) reflects the rapid expansion of mobile network penetration across Tanzania. This suggests an increasing reliance on mobile communication as a key part of daily life and business.

2. Dominance of Major Telecom Operators:

• Vodacom, Tigo, and Airtel dominate the market, with Vodacom holding the largest share of 24.1 million P2P lines. This indicates that these providers are trusted by consumers for personal and business communication, while smaller players like TTCL and Halotel hold niche market shares.

3. Machine to Machine (M2M) Connectivity:

• The rise in M2M connections (from 0.97 million to 1.02 million) shows growing adoption of technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things). This is crucial for industries that require automated communications, like logistics, smart utilities, and agriculture, reflecting progress in technology integration across sectors.

4. Infrastructure Development:

• The increase in the number of minara ya mawasiliano (telecommunication towers), now at 8,583 towers, and the spread of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks show strong investment in telecom infrastructure. This expansion is vital for improving service quality, reaching underserved areas, and supporting the ongoing digital transformation in Tanzania.

5. Urban Dominance:

• Major cities, such as Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, have significantly higher mobile line subscriptions and towers. Dar es Salaam, in particular, leads in both categories, with 14.8 million subscriptions and 1,156 towers. This suggests that urban areas are benefiting more from telecommunication advancements, although rural areas are also seeing gradual improvements.

6. Increase in Smart Device Usage:

• The growth in smartphone penetration from 31.55% to 33.85% indicates a growing shift from basic phones to smartphones, aligning with global trends. This shift implies increasing access to mobile internet services, digital content, and mobile applications.

7. Competitive Mobile Money Market:

• The mobile money sector is highly competitive, with M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Airtel Money controlling 89% of the market. This reflects the importance of mobile money in daily transactions and financial services across Tanzania, showing strong integration between telecom services and financial inclusion.

Source: Takwimu za Mawasiliano Robo ya mwaka inayoishia Septemba 2024