DAR ES SALAAM: ACROSS the country’s hills, plains and towns, a quiet technological revolution is taking place, one that most citizens rarely see.
Deep underground, fiber-optic cables now stretch thousands of kilometres, carrying the lifeblood of the digital economy: Fast, reliable internet.
This is the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), a government-led infrastructure project connecting every corner of the country to the global information highway.
What began as an ambitious plan in 2009 has today become the invisible foundation of Tanzania’s digital transformation.
Connecting rural Tanzania: From isolation to inclusion In the past, a farmer in Sumbawanga or a teacher in Manyoni could only dream of stable internet access.
Today, the NICTBB’s reach means schools in remote areas can stream online lessons, hospitals can consult specialists in Dar es Salaam and local governments can process documents electronically.
At Agape Boys Secondary School in Mbeya, School Manager Mr Rabson Fungo smiles as students participate in virtual science lessons. “Before, our library was full of old books,” he says.
“Now, students access elearning platforms like Shule Direct. Internet has made education more equal.” The same transformation is being seen in healthcare.
The Mbinga District Hospital recently joined a telemedicine network supported by the Ministry of Health.
Through broadband connectivity, doctors can share X-rays and lab results instantly with consultants in referral hospitals. It saves time and lives.
Small businesses going digital
Beyond education and health, broadband has unlocked new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
In Njombe, a tailor runs an online clothing shop using only a smartphone and mobile money. “I used to depend on walk-in customers,” he explains.
“Now, people order through Instagram and WhatsApp. Delivery goes even to Dar or Mwanza.” Such stories are multiplying as connectivity expands.
The rise of mobile payments, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing is enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to reach wider markets.
Broadband access is the equaliser that allows a youth in Singida to sell products nationally without ever opening a physical store.
The power behind the network
The NICTBB is operated by TTCL Corporation under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
It spans over 14,000 kilometres of optical fiber, connecting all regional capitals and linking Tanzania to neighbouring countries; Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Zambia.
Soon Eastern DRC will be connected too. This cross-border connectivity has positioned Tanzania as a regional internet hub, enabling faster data traffic exchange through local Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).
The result: Lower latency, reduced international bandwidth costs and a more resilient digital ecosystem. The NICTBB was a bold investment in the country’s future. It’s not just cables; it’s the foundation for e-government, digital banking and innovation across sectors.”
Digital Tanzania: Building on the backbone
The Digital Tanzania Project (DTP), jointly supported by the Government and the World Bank, is taking the next step, using this broadband backbone to deliver public services online, expand rural coverage and strengthen cybersecurity.
Under DTP, government agencies are digitising records and automating services such as business registration, licensing and tax filing.
Citizens can now access over 250 online government services via the e-Government Authority (eGA) portal.
In Dodoma, local officials note how broadband has reduced paperwork and improved transparency.
“With digital systems, we track budgets, projects and correspondence in real time,” says an ICT officer in Chamwino District.
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Women and youth at the frontier of inclusion
As the digital economy grows, new jobs are emerging; from data entry to app design.
Initiatives such as Tanzania Startup Association, Smart Lab and Sahara Ventures are nurturing young innovators to build solutions on top of the broadband network.
For women entrepreneurs, connectivity has been a gamechanger.
The UNDP-supported “Her Digital Future” programme trains women to market crafts, food and fashion products online.
In Arusha, a food vendor, says: “My Instagram page brings me more customers than the roadside ever did. Internet is my new market.”
Challenges on the road ahead
Despite remarkable progress, gaps remain. Many rural households still face high data costs, lack digital literacy, or lack access to smartphones.
While over 85 per cent of districts are covered by broadband fiber, last-mile connectivity; the link between backbone points and villages remains a bottleneck. Experts call for greater investment in community networks and public Wi-Fi zones.
Fiber can reach the town, but if the village remains offline, the digital divide continues. Power supply reliability, especially in remote areas, is another challenge.
Broadband infrastructure depends on stable electricity for routers, base stations and data centres to function efficiently.
Private sector partnerships and innovation
To address these gaps, public-private partnerships (PPPs) are becoming crucial.
The government is encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mobile operators to lease NICTBB capacity and invest in rural last-mile solutions.
Projects like Halotel’s rural 4G rollout and Vodacom’s fiber expansion to schools, show how collaboration can accelerate connectivity.
Additionally, the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) continues to support rural towers and community ICT centres, ensuring no region is left behind.
Economic and social dividends
Broadband’s contribution to Tanzania’s economy is already visible.
According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), data traffic grew by more than 434 per cent between March 2022 (170 Petabytes) and Sept 2025 (738 Petabytes), while mobile broadband subscriptions surpassed 31 million users.
Economists estimate that every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration contributes up to 1.5 per cent GDP growth.
The impact extends beyond numbers; digital inclusion is reshaping how Tanzanians learn, trade and communicate.
In villages once cut off by distance, students now watch YouTube tutorials, farmers check weather apps and local leaders hold virtual meetings.
Broadband has become as essential as water or roads, an infrastructure of opportunity.
Looking ahead: From connection to transformation
Tanzania’s next challenge is to move “beyond broadband,” from mere connectivity to meaningful use. This means developing local digital content, strengthening cybersecurity and integrating AI, IoT and cloud computing into national systems.
The upcoming Tanzania Digital Economy Framework 2030 is expected to chart this next phase, aligning with Vision 2050 and the Africa Digital Transformation Strategy. The cables are only the beginning. Now we must ensure every citizen can use the internet safely, affordably and productively.”
Conclusion: The network that unites a nation From bustling Dar es Salaam to quiet villages in Rukwa, the NICTBB is silently weaving a digital thread that binds Tanzanians together.
It is enabling dreams, fuelling innovation and creating new pathways for prosperity.
As the country continues its march toward a digital future, one truth is clear: Connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is the foundation of modern development.