en.Wedoany.com Reported - YAS Fiber Tanzania has signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the Zanzibar Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Agency (ZICTIA) and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Under the agreement, YAS Fiber Tanzania will invest approximately 300 billion Tanzanian shillings over the next 20 years to expand broadband access and strengthen digital infrastructure across the Zanzibar archipelago.
The agreement aims to accelerate Zanzibar's digital transformation by extending high-speed fiber optic connectivity to homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and public institutions on the islands of Unguja and Pemba. The first phase of the project is expected to connect approximately 100,000 households within three years. Yas Fiber will be responsible for the design, financing, deployment, commercialization, operation, and maintenance of the network throughout the concession period, while the Zanzibar government will provide regulatory support, facilitate right-of-way access, and oversee implementation.
At the signing ceremony, Zanzibar's Minister of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga, stated that digital connectivity has become a critical need for economic and social development. He noted that high-speed broadband access is a key driver of innovation, investment, and inclusive growth, and that this partnership will help position Zanzibar as a leading digital economy in the region. The minister emphasized the growing importance of internet access in economic activities, education, healthcare, and government services, adding that the project will help bridge the digital divide by extending connectivity to more households and communities.
Eng. Shukuru Awadh Suleiman, Director General of ZICTIA, described the agreement as a significant step toward expanding broadband access and improving service quality in Zanzibar. He noted that many areas currently rely on mobile broadband services for internet access, which are costly and unstable for users requiring large amounts of data, and that the new fiber optic network is expected to provide a more reliable alternative while improving affordability and service quality.
Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Innovation, Hawaa Mbaye, stated that the agreement comes at a time of growing demand for internet services across various sectors. The Zanzibar Development Plan 2021-2026 has identified information and communication technology as a key driver of economic and social development. She further noted that the project aligns with the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050, which regards modern digital infrastructure as the foundation of a competitive and inclusive economy.
Maxime Woimant, CEO of Yas Fiber, described the investment as one of the largest digital infrastructure commitments in Zanzibar in recent years. He stated that improved connectivity will generate broad economic impacts by supporting education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and government services. In addition to infrastructure deployment, the partnership includes commitments to digital skills development, knowledge transfer, and local capacity building, with the goal of equipping more young people with the skills needed for a technology-driven economy.
The implementation of the project follows nearly two years of discussions and planning. Soraga noted that technical teams had already begun preliminary work before the formal signing of the agreement.
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