As Vodacom Tanzania celebrates its 25th anniversary of service to the nation, the company is preparing for the next phase of growth by launching a technology modernization program valued at over $100 million – one of the most significant infrastructure investments in its history.
This landmark initiative is designed to revolutionize connectivity, enhance service quality, and fast-track digital inclusion in both urban areas and underserved rural communities. It aims to support the nation’s growth for the next 25 years and beyond.
This modernization will involve upgrading thousands of network sites across Tanzania and implementing cutting-edge improvements to the IT infrastructure, including the M-Pesa platform. These upgrades will bring faster data speeds, enhanced call quality, more reliable M-Pesa services, and improved cybersecurity—directly addressing the needs of the company’s rapidly expanding user base, which now numbers in the tens of millions.
“Our journey towards Vision 2030 has officially begun,” said Philip Besiimire, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania. “With this investment, we are laying the foundation for the next five years and beyond, empowering people with better access, protecting the planet through greener technologies, and maintaining the trust of our customers, partners, and investors.”
To date, over 1,000 network sites have already been upgraded in the lake zone, southern highlands, and parts of central Tanzania.
This modernization effort aligns with Vodacom Tanzania’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes people, the planet, and trust in every decision. It also supports Tanzania’s national digital transformation agenda and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of its Net Zero 2035 goal, Vodacom’s network modernization will incorporate energy-efficient infrastructure, reducing power consumption by up to 30% while enhancing network performance and coverage. This approach reinforces the company’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles while ensuring high-quality digital access reaches both urban and remote areas.
“This upgrade features the latest technology and will greatly expand 4G coverage, ensuring faster internet speeds and improved connectivity wherever Vodacom operates,” said Andrew Lupembe, Vodacom’s Network Director. “We are going greener with Huawei’s industry-leading ‘zero-bit-zero (0 bit 0) watt’ technology, an innovation that significantly enhances power efficiency, cuts carbon emissions, and boosts performance for both 4G and 5G.”
In addition, the company is optimizing tower space by introducing multi-band radio technology, which integrates all spectrums into a single radio, and by incorporating multiple frequency bands into the same antennas.
As Tanzania’s digital economy continues to grow, Vodacom is reaffirming its role as a catalyst for digital and financial inclusion, fostering innovation, and investing in infrastructure that connects every Tanzanian to new opportunities.
