Tanzania’s 4G coverage reaches 94% and 5G is 30%

Tanzania has sharply expanded access to high-speed mobile networks, with 4G population coverage rising to 94.2 percent and 5G coverage reaching 30.1 percent by the end of 2025.

The National Council for Financial Inclusion (NCFI) says the development greatly strengthens the digital infrastructure underpinning the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The latest NCFI figures are contained in its Annual Financial Inclusion Report 2025, which identifies telecommunications connectivity as an increasingly important enabler of access to and usage of formal financial services. The 4G expansion represents a significant improvement from 88 percent recorded in December 2024, meaning that more than nine out of every 10 people in Tanzania were within reach of fourth-generation mobile networks by the end of last year.

At the same time, 5G population coverage increased from 20 percent in 2024 to 30.1 percent in 2025, marking a substantial expansion of the country’s next-generation mobile infrastructure. “This year’s report reflects the remarkable progress Tanzania has made in implementing the Third National Financial Inclusion Framework (NFIF3)

2023–2028,” Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor and NCFI chair Emmanuel Tutuba notes in the recently published document." It demonstrates our collective commitment to ensuring that every Tanzanian has access to and effectively uses quality, affordable financial products and services that improve livelihoods and promote inclusive economic growth, he adds. The Council attributes the 4G and 5G improvement to accelerated investment in telecommunications infrastructure, supported particularly by an increase in the number of telecom towers.

The number of telecommunications towers increased to 10,029 in 2025, providing a broader physical foundation for mobile connectivity and the delivery of digital services.

Expansion

The expansion of high-speed networks comes as Tanzania’s overall telecommunications market continues to grow. According to the new report, telecommunications subscriptions increased by 23.1 percent to 106.9 million during 2025.

Smartphone penetration also improved, reaching 41.8 percent, up from 36 percent a year earlier.

The combination of wider network coverage and increasing smartphone adoption is creating the infrastructure needed for Tanzanians to move beyond basic mobile communications towards increasingly sophisticated digital services. For the financial sector, this is particularly significant.

Mobile phones have become one of the principal channels through which Tanzanians access financial services, including payments, savings, credit and transfers. As network quality and smartphone access improve, consumers are increasingly able to use applications and digital platforms that require faster and more reliable internet connections.

The connectivity gains therefore complement the rapid expansion of Tanzania’s digital financial ecosystem.