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Friday, 5 December 2025

AIRTEL: PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FUEL SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL GROWTH

Strategic public–private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly recognized as a catalyst for delivering long-term national development. By leveraging private-sector innovation alongside government oversight, such collaborations accelerate infrastructure investment, improve service delivery and strengthen socio-economic progress.

Airtel Tanzania stands as a leading example of this model, demonstrating how coordinated efforts between government and industry can drive digital inclusion, modernize national infrastructure and support Tanzania’s economic transformation. With the Government of Tanzania (GoT) holding a 49% share in the company, Airtel continues to highlight the power of strategic partnerships in delivering sustained national benefits.

Leadership, Vision and a Year of Transformation

Airtel Tanzania Managing Director Mr. Charles Kamoto, who recently marked his one-year anniversary in office, emphasized that aligning government policy with private-sector dynamism is essential for advancing the digital economy.

Reflecting on the past year, Mr. Kamoto highlighted strong teamwork, strategic growth, and renewed organizational energy as the key drivers of Airtel’s performance.

This milestone is not about me; it is a testament to the exceptional people we have driving Airtel’s success every day,”
he said, underscoring human capital as a central pillar of the company’s operational excellence.

Strong Investments to Power Tanzania’s Digital Future

Over the last 12 months, Airtel Tanzania significantly boosted network coverage, secured additional spectrum and modernized platforms to support high-demand digital services.
Investments exceeded Tshs 130 billion, laying the groundwork for advanced technologies including 5G and enhanced mobile financial platforms. Over the last five years, the company has invested more than Tshs 650 billion in national infrastructure.

The company stated that these investments have strengthened Airtel’s market position while expanding telecommunications access across both urban and rural regions—helping narrow Tanzania’s digital divide.

A key milestone is Airtel’s participation in the government-backed initiative to construct 758 new telecom towers under the Digital Tanzania Project, implemented in partnership with the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF). This effort will expand rural network coverage and enhance access to digital services.

Innovation: The Next Frontier

Mr. Kamoto also pointed to innovation as a defining priority. Airtel has introduced cutting-edge solutions such as AI-powered Spam Alert, alongside the rollout of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services.

By introducing VoLTE, we are not only offering the best call quality in the market but also contributing to Tanzania’s digital evolution,”
said Mr. Kamoto.
I am happy to inform Tanzania that after several months of deployment, we are now fully enhancing our customers’ experience with our VoLTE service.”

Revenue Contribution and National Impact

Under Mr. Kamoto’s leadership, Airtel was among the top contributors of government dividends during the period under review, contributing Tshs 73.9 billion. This underscores Airtel’s role in national revenue generation and its alignment with government priorities, including:

  • expanding digital infrastructure
  • promoting inclusive connectivity
  • supporting the growth of the digital economy

Airtel was also recognized as the Most Compliant Taxpayer in the service category by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), further solidifying its reputation as a responsible corporate partner.

Expanding Access Through Public–Private Partnerships

Airtel continues to collaborate with government agencies across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, reinforcing its commitment to extending digital access to underserved communities. These partnerships ensure that business growth aligns with national development goals.

According to the latest quarterly report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA):

  • Airtel commands the largest share of On-net voice traffic at 35.3%
  • It also leads Off-net voice traffic with 29.3%
  • Its AI-driven ‘Kataa Matapeli’ campaign helped reduce fraud attempts from 19% to 12% in September—an impressive 7-percentage-point drop

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the company’s proactive digital security and customer awareness efforts.

Airtel’s Breakthrough in Innovative Solutions

Airtel’s VoLTE service was officially launched during Mr. Kamoto’s first anniversary event in November 2025. The Managing Director shared insights on the company’s future direction, emphasizing further investments in AI-driven tools, digital security and next-generation network technologies.

Strong Subscriber Growth Across All Segments

The TCRA report shows impressive year-on-year growth across Airtel’s core business lines:

1. P2P SIM Card Subscriptions

  • 21.46 million in September 2025
  • Up from 19.49 million (10.08% YoY increase)

This growth is attributed to expanding mobile penetration, competitive offerings and improved network quality.

2. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Connections

  • Increased to 358,500 from 331,676 (8.1% growth)
    Reflecting the rise of IoT, smart devices and enterprise digital solutions across industries.

3. Mobile Money Subscriptions

  • Increased from 11.43 million to 12.94 million (13.2% growth)

4. Mobile Money Transactions

  • Rose from 92.7 million to 104.45 million (12.7% YoY increase)

These increases highlight expanding financial inclusion and growing trust in Airtel’s digital financial ecosystem.

Conclusion: A Strategic Partner in Tanzania’s Digital Transformation

By combining heavy infrastructure investment, innovative digital solutions, strategic partnerships and substantial fiscal contributions, Airtel continues to entrench its role as a cornerstone of Tanzania’s digital future.

With a clear innovation agenda and strong alignment with government priorities, the company is well positioned to sustain its growth, improve connectivity nationwide and support Tanzania’s broader socio-economic ambitions in the years ahead.

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