Government Promotion of Affordable Smartphones to Enhance Digital Economy

TLDR

• The number of smartphones in use in Tanzania rose by 5.16% to 31.34 million in the quarter ending June, up from 29.8 million in the previous quarter.
• Smartphone penetration increased to 44.74%, indicating that nearly half of the population has access to a smartphone.
• Feature phones remain dominant with approximately 58.4 million devices in use and a penetration rate of 83.38%.
• The government is promoting access to affordable smartphones and digital devices to enhance participation in the digital economy, according to Information and Communication Technology Minister Angellah Kairuki.
• The growth in smartphone ownership is driving demand for online services, fintech, and digital commerce.