The increasing demand for internet access in Tanzania is opening up new business opportunities for individuals and companies. As internet use expands, more people are relying on connectivity for business, communication, entertainment, and access to information, creating a demand for affordable and reliable internet services. This trend is driven by the growing need for connectivity, with internet subscriptions increasing by 6.48% to 62.79 million in the quarter ending June 2026, from 58.97 million in March.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) reported that data use also rose, with traffic growing by 11.65% to 1,041 petabytes during the quarter. Additionally, smartphone numbers increased by 5.16% to 31.34 million, pushing smartphone penetration from 42.50% in March to 44.74% in June. This growing demand is creating opportunities for people who can provide internet access to users who may find individual connections too expensive.
One emerging model is neighborhood Wi-Fi, where users contribute a monthly fee to access an existing internet connection instead of maintaining their own services. Bernard Malima is among those who have taken advantage of the demand, sharing his internet connection with people in his neighborhood for a monthly fee of Sh10,000. This arrangement provides a cheaper option for people who cannot afford individual fiber connections or expensive monthly internet packages.
However, the income opportunity depends on reliable infrastructure, with electricity interruptions posing a challenge to people whose connections require continuous power. Malima cited electricity as his greatest challenge, saying that whenever there are power problems, it affects his business. Despite this challenge, he encouraged young people to turn the service into an income-generating activity if they identify areas with sufficient demand.
At Mabibo Market, trader Rasul Ibrahim has also turned internet access into an additional income stream after buying a router and sharing the connection with fellow traders. Ibrahim said the service has uses beyond business transactions, as traders also use the connection to access information and learn new things while spending long hours at the market.
For some businesses, however, the value of internet access is not in selling it but in using it to improve the customer experience. Beauty salon operator Habibah Mapesa said providing Wi-Fi can encourage customers to remain at her salon when they have to wait for services. Clothing trader Emily Chonya also highlighted the importance of internet access for marketing products and communicating with potential customers through social media.
The growing demand for internet access is expected to continue driving new business opportunities in Tanzania. As internet penetration increases, businesses and individuals are finding innovative ways to leverage connectivity to improve their operations and attract customers. With reliable infrastructure and a growing market, the opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses in the internet sector are vast and varied.
Key points
- The growing demand for internet access in Tanzania is creating new business opportunities for individuals and companies.
- Neighborhood Wi-Fi models are emerging as a cheaper option for people who cannot afford individual fiber connections or expensive monthly internet packages.
- Businesses are using internet access to improve the customer experience and attract new customers through social media and online marketing.
