As of March 2025, Tanzania recorded 49.3 million internet subscriptions, up from 48.6 million in January, reflecting a 1.57% growth in just one quarter. The majority — over 99% — are mobile wireless connections, highlighting Tanzania’s status as a mobile-first digital economy. Fixed wireless and fixed wired lines accounted for less than 1% combined. In terms of market share, Vodacom led with 34.0%, followed by Yas (30.4%) and Airtel (21.8%), showing strong competition among service providers. The steady growth and mobile dominance indicate increasing digital adoption, especially through smartphones.

1. Monthly Internet Usage (Subscriptions) — January to March 2025

What It Tells Us:

• Steady Growth: Internet subscriptions increased by 1.57% in one quarter — an addition of 764,110 users.
• Mobile Dominance: Mobile wireless accounts for over 99% of internet usage, indicating that mobile phones are the main access point to the internet in Tanzania.
• Fixed Internet (Wired & Wireless): While still small, both fixed wired and fixed wireless connections are slowly increasing — a sign of gradual infrastructure expansion for homes, offices, and institutions.
• Digital Inclusion: More Tanzanians are accessing internet services month-to-month, showing growing digital inclusion and demand for online services.

2. Share of Mobile Internet Subscriptions by Operator — March 2025

What It Tells Us:

• Vodacom Leads: Vodacom maintains a strong position with over one-third of the mobile internet market, indicating reliability, reach, and strong data packages.
• Yas Rising: Yas (formerly Tigo) is close behind, showing strong growth in user adoption and possibly competitive pricing or promotions.
• Airtel’s Solid Share: Airtel controls nearly 22% of the market, reinforcing its role as a major player.
• Smaller Players: Halotel and TTCL have smaller shares, but they play a crucial role in serving specific regions or customer segments.
• Market Diversity: The relatively even distribution among top three operators suggests healthy competition, which may lead to better service quality and pricing for users.

Key Insights from Internet Usage and Market Share

1. Tanzania is a Mobile-First Internet Market

• Over 99% of internet subscriptions come from mobile wireless connections.
• Only a small fraction (less than 1%) use fixed wireless or fixed broadband (like fiber).
• This shows that most Tanzanians access the internet through mobile phones, not desktop or home internet — a clear sign that mobile technology is driving digital inclusion.

2. Internet Adoption Is Growing Steadily

• Between January and March 2025, internet subscriptions grew from 48.57 million to 49.33 million, a rise of 764,110 users (+1.57% in one quarter).
• This steady growth suggests rising demand for internet services, likely due to:
  • Expansion of 4G/5G networks
  • Mobile money and online platforms
  • Social media usage and digital entertainment

3. Market Is Competitive, But Led by Key Players

• Vodacom leads the mobile internet market with 34.0% share — likely due to its wide coverage and stable service.
• Yas (30.4%) and Airtel (21.8%) are strong competitors, showing that users have multiple choices.
• Halotel (10.4%) and TTCL (3.4%) serve smaller niches, often in rural or institutional areas.
• The presence of multiple players encourages better service quality, innovation, and pricing — good news for consumers.

4. Fixed Internet Still Needs Investment

• Fixed wired and wireless subscriptions remain below 1%, meaning most homes and businesses still lack broadband access.
• This signals a need for:
  • Infrastructure development (fiber optics)
  • Government-private partnerships
  • Affordable fixed internet packages

Bottom Line

Tanzania's internet landscape is mobile-driven, growing steadily, and highly competitive. While access is expanding, the next step is to broaden fixed internet coverage and ensure rural areas are connected just like urban centers.

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.

Tanzania’s internet landscape has experienced tremendous growth, with subscriptions surging from 23.1 million in 2019 to 86.8 million in 2024, reflecting a remarkable expansion of over 275% in five years. Mobile internet dominates the sector, accounting for 47.9 million subscriptions, supported by the rollout of 4G (88% coverage) and emerging 5G (20% coverage) technologies. Affordable data pricing, averaging Tsh 9.35 per MB, has fueled adoption, while urban centers like Dar es Salaam lead in connectivity. However, with 22.3 million users still relying on 2G, challenges persist in extending advanced internet access to rural areas, creating significant opportunities for infrastructure development and digital inclusion.

Internet Services in Tanzania

1. Internet Usage Trends (2019-2024)

• Growth in Internet Subscriptions:
  • 2019: 23.1 million subscriptions
  • 2020: 32.3 million (+39.8%)
  • 2021: 40.9 million (+26.6%)
  • 2022: 52.8 million (+29.1%)
  • 2023: 61.8 million (+17.1%)
  • 2024: 86.8 million (+16% compared to 2023) **​.
• Mobile internet leads the market with 47.9 million subscriptions as of December 2024, while fixed internet subscriptions are minimal but steadily growing.

2. Internet Subscriptions by Technology (2024)

• Mobile Internet: 25.6 million subscriptions (53% of total users).
• 2G Connections: 22.3 million subscriptions, showing persistence despite newer technologies.
• Fiber Connections:
  • Fiber to the Home (FTTH): 71,661 subscriptions.
  • Fiber to the Office (FTTO): 11,540 subscriptions.
• The growth reflects investments in 4G (88% coverage) and 5G (20% coverage)​.

3. Cost of Internet Services by Provider (December 2024)

The following is a breakdown of data service costs in Tanzanian Shillings (Tsh) for 1 Megabyte (MB) outside bundled packages:

• Airtel: Tsh 9.35/MB
• Halotel: Tsh 9.35/MB
• Vodacom: Tsh 9.35/MB
• TTCL: Tsh 9.35/MB
• Yas: Tsh 9.35/MB

The average cost of data across all service providers is Tsh 9.35 per MB, indicating uniform pricing due to market regulation.

• In bundled packages, data costs drop significantly. For example:
  • Within Bundles: Prices as low as Tsh 2.16 per MB​.

4. Market Share in Internet Services

• Vodacom leads with 34% market share, followed by Airtel (30%) and Halotel (23%).
• Fixed internet services are dominated by smaller providers like TTCL and private operators, but their overall market share remains minimal compared to mobile services​.

Insights and Trends:

• Affordable Internet Growth: The average price for bundled data is significantly cheaper, which has driven the adoption of mobile internet.
• Technology Expansion: Investments in 4G and 5G have enhanced data speeds and accessibility, but 2G remains relevant for rural areas.
• Opportunities: Expanding fiber connections and lowering device costs can further boost digital access.

The analysis of Tanzania's internet services and trends key insights into the state of connectivity and its implications

1. Significant Growth in Internet Access

• Consistent Expansion: Over the last five years, internet subscriptions have grown from 23.1 million in 2019 to 86.8 million in 2024, driven by mobile internet, infrastructure investments, and increased affordability.
• Technology Uptake: Mobile internet dominates, with 53% of users relying on mobile data, reflecting its affordability and accessibility, especially in rural areas.

2. Affordability and Accessibility

• Uniform Pricing: Data costs average Tsh 9.35/MB across providers, with much cheaper rates in bundled packages (as low as Tsh 2.16/MB). This affordability has contributed to the adoption of internet services among diverse demographics.
• Broad Coverage: The rollout of 4G (88% coverage) and growing 5G (20% coverage) reflects a strong push to modernize infrastructure.

3. Urban-Rural Divide

• Persistent 2G Usage: The high number of 2G users (22.3 million) highlights challenges in reaching rural areas with advanced technologies like 4G and 5G.
• Fiber Gaps: Limited fiber connections (FTTH: 71,661 and FTTO: 11,540 subscriptions) suggest that fixed internet infrastructure is still underdeveloped, primarily catering to urban centers and businesses.

4. Competitive Market Dynamics

• Market Concentration: Vodacom (34%), Airtel (30%), and Halotel (23%) dominate the internet market, ensuring competitive pricing and service improvements.
• Innovation Opportunities: The uniform pricing among providers reflects regulatory stability but leaves room for differentiation in services, such as quality, speed, and customer experience.

5. Future Opportunities and Challenges

• Opportunities:
  • Expanding fiber infrastructure and improving rural access to advanced technologies like 4G and 5G.
  • Leveraging affordable bundled data to drive digital services adoption (e.g., e-commerce, mobile banking, and e-learning).
• Challenges:
  • Bridging the rural-urban gap in technology adoption.
  • Ensuring equitable access for underserved regions.

Overall Implications

Tanzania's internet sector reflects a robust trajectory of growth, driven by affordability and mobile technology. However, the urban-rural divide and limited fixed internet penetration remain critical areas to address. The continued investment in infrastructure and innovative service offerings can position Tanzania as a digital leader in the region.