Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – In aN achievement that underscores the rapid digitization of Tanzania’s economy, Watu Simu has financed one million smartphones across the country, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey toward digital inclusion and economic participation.

The milestone, reached in February 2026, comes at a critical time when smartphones have evolved from luxury items to essential tools for everyday economic activity. According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) December 2025 report, the country now has 107 million active SIM subscriptions, with smartphone penetration standing at 41.82%—meaning over half of mobile users still rely on feature phones with limited digital capabilities.

Bridging the Digital Divide

“This is no longer about marginal access,” said Rumisho Shikonyi, Country Manager for Watu Tanzania. “Smartphones are essential tools for participation in everyday economic activity. Reaching one million smartphones financed through Watu Simu reflects consistent execution over time and our role as a financier in enabling access to assets that support productivity, livelihoods, and economic participation.”

The achievement represents more than just a business milestone—it highlights a fundamental shift in how Tanzanians access financial services, markets, education, and government services. In an increasingly digital economy, smartphone ownership has become the determining factor in who can participate fully in modern economic life.

Watu Simu’s pay-as-you-go financing model has made smartphones accessible to individuals, households, and small businesses across 26 regions in Tanzania, serving both urban and rural markets. The company, licensed and regulated by the Bank of Tanzania, specializes in financing income-generating assets, including motorcycles for boda-boda riders and smartphones for digital economy participation.

The Great Digital Paradox

Despite the progress, Tanzania faces what experts call a “digital paradox.” While the country has built robust digital infrastructure, many citizens remain stuck on the “conventional feature phone route,” unable to access the full benefits of the digital world. Feature phone users can manage only basic functionalities like calling, SMS, or basic USSD transfers, missing out on mobile banking, e-commerce, e-learning, and digital government services.

Smartphones have become the vehicles for economic participation, enabling:

• Access to digital financial services, including mobile banking, insurance, and investment options
• Participation in online marketplaces
• Digital skills development and e-learning opportunities
• Access to e-government services and portals
• Income-generating opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, and content creators

Connectivity Meets Mobility

Watu Simu’s success complements the company’s established motorcycle financing business, recognizing that mobility and connectivity increasingly work together to support income generation. While motorcycles enable physical movement and access to work, smartphones enable coordination, payments, communication, and access to digital platforms.

This synergy is particularly important for Tanzania’s growing gig economy, where boda-boda riders use smartphones to coordinate rides, receive payments, and navigate efficiently. The combination of financed motorcycles and smartphones creates a powerful engine for economic participation.

A Journey Toward Inclusion

The digital economy, experts argue, is not a destination but an inclusive journey that requires all stakeholders to participate. The end goal is to unlock economic opportunities for all adult Tanzanians, with the intent of achieving a more prosperous and inclusive nation.

Watu Simu’s campaign message, “Milioni Moja – Tunasonga Mbele Kidigitali” (One Million – We Move Forward Digitally), captures this forward momentum. The milestone represents how access to devices is empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to participate more fully in the digital economy.

With transparent repayment structures, technology-enabled systems, and strong local teams across the country, Watu has scaled responsibly while maintaining regulatory compliance, protecting customers, and building long-term trust.

Looking Ahead

As Tanzania continues its digital transformation, the role of asset financing companies like Watu becomes increasingly critical. The one million smartphone milestone is not just about growth—it’s about momentum and real progress in enabling Tanzanians through connectivity.

The achievement positions Watu not merely as a mobile phone financier, but as a financial enabler of Tanzania’s digital economy, helping to bridge the gap between those who can participate in the digital revolution and those still left behind.

With smartphone penetration still below 50%, the journey toward full digital inclusion continues. But milestones like this one millionth financed smartphone suggest that Tanzania is moving in the right direction—one device, one user, and one opportunity at a time.