On 31st October 2024,Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Hon. Jerry Silaa launched a 4G mobile communication tower in Hika village, Makuru Ward, Manyoni District, Singida Region.
The tower was constructed by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) using government funding through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF).
The total cost of constructing the tower is TZS 272 million, of which UCSAF provided a grant of TZS 118 million, while TTCL contributed over TZS 150 million.
Approximately 24,000 residents from Hika, Londoni, Msemembo, and nearby villages will benefit from the presence of this tower.
Minister Silaa emphasized the importance of this tower in promoting social and economic development in underserved areas.
Silaa highlighted: “The sixth phase government led by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is committed to ensuring that quality communication services, including internet access, reach rural citizens. We are enhancing connectivity in rural areas by upgrading communication towers from 2G technology to 3G/4G.”
On her part, the Singida Regional Commissioner, Halima Dendego, expressed gratitude to the government, noting that the residents of Makuru Ward and its surrounding villages can now use mobile communication to improve their economic and social activities.
The Singida Region
Located in central Tanzania, Singida Region has experienced significant population growth, with the latest census in 2022 reporting a total population of 2,008,058, a substantial increase from 1,370,637 in 2012.
As of September 2024, the Region has approximately 1,346,784 mobile subscriptions, representing about 2.0% of the country’s 80.7 million total mobile subscriptions.
The Region benefits from the overall expansion of mobile infrastructure, which includes 8,583 telecommunication towers across the country, andexhibits a telecom penetration rate of approximately 100%, suggesting a stable market.
