Tanzania Logging Fiber Optic Cable

Tanzania is rapidly expanding its fiber optic network, enhancing national connectivity, regional integration, and digital resilience through terrestrial and submarine links. National Fiber Optic DeploymentTanzania's National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) currently spans 13,820 kilometers, connecting 109 out of 139 districts and 111 communication service centers, with plans to cover the remaining districts in the near future. The network uses single-mode G652D fiber and includes terrestrial and submarine segments to ensure robust connectivity across the country.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has established the Deployment of Fibre Optic Cables Rules, 2026, which govern permits, splicing, connector standards, pole sharing, and other technical requirements for fiber deployment.

Redundancy and Regional Connectivity

To enhance digital resilience, Tanzania and Kenya inaugurated a redundancy route at the Horohoro border post, providing an alternative terrestrial path linking Tanzania to eight undersea cables in Kenya. This ensures uninterrupted connectivity even if the three marine cable landing stations in Dar es Salaam experience disruptions. The redundancy route strengthens regional integration, connecting Tanzania digitally with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Mozambique, and supports faster, more reliable internet services across East and Central Africa.

Cross-

Border Expansion

Tanzania is actively extending its fiber network to neighboring countries. A 186-kilometer submarine cable is under construction from Kigoma, Tanzania to Kalemie, DR Congo, traversing Lake Tanganyika. This project aims to integrate DR Congo into the NICTBB, further positioning Tanzania as a regional digital gateway.

Plans also include potential extensions along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to connect eastern DR Congo, reaching as far as Bukavu.

Strategic Importance

The expansion of Tanzania's fiber optic network is critical for: Digital transformation: Enabling faster internet, e-commerce, and ICT services. Economic growth: Supporting trade, regional collaboration, and cross-border business. Resilience: Providing alternative routes to mitigate disruptions from undersea cable failures.

Regional integration: Linking multiple East and Central African countries to a unified digital infrastructure. Tanzania's fiber optic initiatives, supported by government leadership and regulatory frameworks, are positioning the country as a key digital hub in East Africa, with ongoing projects ensuring both national coverage and international connectivity.