Tanzania Mobile Operators Complete Merger

Tanzanian mobile operator Zanzibar Telecom Public Limited Company (Zantel) recently announced the completion of the combination with its sister company MIC Tanzania Public Limited Company (Tigo), by which the process to transfer ownership of the shares in Zantel to Tigo is now concluded.

In its press release, Zantel explains that the combined business will bring together the strengths of Zantel and Tigo to better serve customers both in the mainland and in Zanzibar.

The new group will offer improved coverage and better quality of service to customers in both urban and rural Tanzania, enabling also wider access to communication solutions for businesses as well as mobile financial services to Zantel and Tigo customers.

Commenting on the transaction, Brian Karokola, Chief Executive Officer of Zantel, said: “Through an efficient delivery of superior customer experience, high-speed data, innovative product mix, and wider geographic focus, the combined group will improve the competitive dynamics of the telecoms sector for the benefit of the country as a whole.”

The integration process between the two companies will start soon. However, customers can continue enjoying their services on Zantel and Tigo respectively. Customers’ SIM cards and mobile numbers will not change. There will be no interruption to customers’ experience of both networks during the integration process.

Zantel also introduced in November 2019, SMARTA, the most affordable smartphone in the market at TZS 39,999 (USD 17), in a bid to accelerate smartphone ownership in Tanzania.

Tanzania Mobile Operators
As of June 2019, there were 7 mobile operators in Tanzania. In order of importance, they are Vodacom with 14,392,174 users, Tigo (11,675,809), Airtel (11,538,358), Halotel (4,218,656), Zantel (1,206,913), TTCL (716,206), and Smile (970).