Tanzania Invests 126bn/- in Mobile Tower Rollout

126bn/- Allocated for Construction of 758 Mobile Towers Nationwide

SINGIDA, March 21, 2025 — A major investment of 126 billion Tanzanian shillings has been earmarked for the construction of 758 mobile communication towers throughout the country, a move aimed at improving connectivity in underserved regions.

The announcement was made by Engineer Peter Mwasalyanda, Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), during a progress briefing delivered to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Mbelekese village, Iramba District, Singida Region.

The committee was in the region to oversee the implementation of the nationwide project and to officially inaugurate one of the newly constructed towers.

Of the total funding, UCSAF is contributing 70.34 billion shillings, while an additional 55.73 billion shillings is being sourced from the World Bank through its Digital Tanzania Programme (DTP).

“Since the agreement was signed on May 13, 2023, we have already invested over 71.5 billion shillings to construct 417 towers across the country. This marks 55 percent of the overall project completion,” Eng. Mwasalyanda stated.

In the Singida Region alone, a total of 32 towers are planned—14 under the DTP initiative and 18 financed directly by UCSAF.

Addressing local residents, PAC Vice-Chairperson Joseph Kakunda urged Tanzanians to fully utilize mobile phones to enhance their economic livelihoods.

“Use your phones not just for communication, but for business—such as tracking crop prices in different regions or sourcing goods more affordably,” Mr. Kakunda advised. “With phones available for as low as 15,000 shillings, there’s no reason for anyone to remain disconnected. These towers are being built for your benefit.”

Singida’s Regional Administrative Secretary, Dr Fatuma Mganga, highlighted the transformational impact of extending communication infrastructure to rural communities, noting that access to mobile networks has become a cornerstone of socio-economic development.

“The expansion of mobile towers into remote areas presents a significant leap forward,” Dr Mganga said. “In today’s world, communication is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.”

The national rollout of communication towers is seen as a strategic step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth by connecting even the most remote corners of Tanzania.