Tanzania to share internet infrastructure with DRC and South Sudan

Tanzania has plans to share its internet broadband infrastructure with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The plans were revealed on Friday, September 29, after the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Tsh71 billion with Uganda that will enable the two countries to share a broadband infrastructure.

After signing an MoU with Uganda, Tanzania’s Information, Communication, and Technology Minister Nape Nnauye said the deal with Uganda will be followed by an opportunity to link via optic fibre to DRC and South Sudan.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers her remarks during the Africa Climate Summit 2023 at KICC in Nairobi on September 5, 2023. Photo: AFP

“ICT connections with Uganda will create another connection with other countries,” he said.

He added that the deal will facilitate business cooperation for advancement in the telecommunications sector.

The ICT Minister explained that linking the countries’ communication infrastructure will enhance easy communication among the East African Community members.

Nnauye who is also the Mtama constituency legislator in Tanzania, explained the need for other EAC nations to continue investing in the communications and technology sector.

He also revealed that Tanzania had recently signed an MoU with Malawi on Digital Communication that will enable the two countries to connect on data usage.

“The decision to provide the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) with a mandate to manage the national broadband backbone was good,” he said.

During the event, Uganda’s Minister for Information Communications Technology Chris Baryomunzi acknowledged that Uganda had benefitted a lot from Tanzania in the telecommunications sector.

“We must also link the internet usage with South Sudan, the DRC and other African countries. This will bridge digital devices, boost innovation, and stimulate economic growth,” Chris said.

He at the same time emphasized the need for African nations to make use of optic fibre cables from the oceans surrounding Africa to enhance interconnectivity across the continent.