e-Tanzania, a country located in Eastern Africa, falls within the Middle EGDI group. EGDI stands for the E-Government Development Index, which is a composite measure used by the United Nations to assess the development of e-government in different countries.
Also, in the latest UN survey, Tanzania is ranked 153rd out of 193 countries in e-government. I’d say Tanzania has a mix of strengths and weaknesses in this area. For example, it has a medium Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), which means its digital communication systems are somewhat developed but still have room for improvement. On the other hand… it has a high Human Capital Index (HCI), showing that the population has a relatively good level of education and skills needed for e-government.
Tanzania’s ranking in e-participation, which measures the involvement of citizens in the government’s decision-making processes through online tools, is 128th. This is a drop of 30 places in just two years. I’d say this decline is quite concerning because it suggests that the country is facing difficulties in engaging its citizens digitally. It means e-Tanzania has fallen behind in a crucial aspect of e-government.
Tanzania’s connectivity infrastructure
I believe Tanzania’s connectivity infrastructure has made impressive progress over the last two decades. This growth has been driven by access to international submarine fibre cables, the construction and expansion of the national fibre backbone, and a competitive market among mobile network operators (MNOs). However, I think there are still challenges, such as regulatory gaps that slow down further expansion and minimal incentives to close the last-mile connectivity gap.
According to DataReportal’s 2024 Digital Report on e-Tanzania, there were 21.82 million internet users in Tanzania at the start of 2024, with internet penetration at 31.9%. However, these numbers reveal that 46.60 million people in Tanzania did not use the internet at the beginning of 2024, meaning 68.1% of the population remained offline. This highlights a significant digital divide (more on that below.) And it is something that needs addressing if Tanzania wants to fully benefit from digital transformation.
On a more positive note, there were 67.72 million active cellular mobile connections in Tanzania in early 2024. This figure is equivalent to 99.0% of the total population. I’d say this is a strong indicator of how widespread mobile connectivity is in the country, which provides a solid foundation for expanding internet access further.
Despite these efforts, I’d say Tanzania still has a low installed fiber capacity per capita compared to other African countries. However, the current government strategy needs to be revised to address these ongoing issues. There should be a focus on improving regulation and providing incentives to close the last-mile connectivity gap.
Digital divide persists
I think it’s important to recognize that the digital divide is still a significant issue in many parts of the world, and Tanzania is no exception. The rural-urban connectivity gap is a major challenge, and this isn’t just a local issue—it’s seen across Africa. According to ITU, in 2022, 64% of urban dwellers in Africa used the internet, compared to only 23% of people in rural areas. This disparity is quite stark and highlights the difficulties in extending internet access to more remote regions.
I’d say there are two main challenges to improving connectivity in rural Tanzania: the tough terrain and the sparse population. These factors make it really expensive and often not profitable for companies to invest in the necessary digital infrastructure. For instance, when you think about laying down cables or setting up towers in areas where there are few people scattered over large distances, it just doesn’t make financial sense for many telecom operators.
Also…comparing Tanzania to its neighbors like Kenya, Mozambique, and Uganda, the absolute levels of internet usage are pretty low. Also, the gender gap is considerably much wider in Tanzania. I believe this gender digital divide is due to several factors, including sociocultural norms that might discourage women from using technology. Additionally, there’s a lack of digital applications and content tailored specifically for women, and many women don’t have their own devices or can’t afford data charges. These barriers really limit how much women can engage with and benefit from the digital world.
Final thoughts
Despite the advancements, the geographical and social challenges make it really difficult for telecom companies to justify expanding their networks to rural areas in e-Tanzania. This lack of infrastructure means that the government struggles to deliver public services online. It also stifles private sector innovation because businesses can’t rely on a stable internet connection to reach potential customers or streamline their operations. Ultimately, this connectivity issue is a major roadblock to Tanzania’s overall digital and development goals.
Sources:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/DDD/ddd_TZA.pdf
