Tanzania has underscored the strategic importance of space and satellite technology as a cornerstone of modern communications infrastructure during the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Shared Satellite Forum held in Dar es Salaam.
Opening the Forum, the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Hon. Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki (MP), emphasized that satellite technology plays a critical role in advancing digital transformation, strengthening regional integration, and enhancing secure connectivity across the SADC region.
Minister Kairuki highlighted Tanzania’s significant milestones achieved through sustained investment in the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), which has facilitated cross-border connectivity with neighbouring countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. She further noted the construction of more than 2,151 communication towers nationwide under the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF).
As of December 2025, national communications coverage had expanded to 98.6 percent for 2G, 93.4 percent for 3G, 94.2 percent for 4G, and 30.1 percent for 5G services — reflecting the country’s steady progress in expanding inclusive digital access.
The Minister also outlined ongoing implementation of Tanzania’s National Space Programme, including the KiboCube Project undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The initiative seeks to strengthen domestic technical capacity and position Tanzania among Africa’s emerging leaders in satellite innovation.
The Forum provides a high-level platform for SADC Member States to explore expanded applications of satellite technologies across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, environmental management, security, and disaster risk reduction — contributing to economic growth and improved livelihoods across the region.
