Airtel Tanzania Pays TZS 65.48 Billion Dividend to Government, Total State Returns Hit TZS 350 Billion
Airtel Tanzania has handed over a TZS 65.48 billion dividend to the Government of Tanzania for the 2025/26 financial year, bringing the telecommunications company’s cumulative dividend payments to the State to approximately TZS 350 billion since 2019.
The dividend cheque was presented to President Samia Suluhu Hassan on June 30, 2026, during the Treasury Registrar’s Annual Dividend Day at State House. The payment stems from the government’s 49 percent shareholding in Airtel Tanzania under its public-private partnership with Bharti Airtel.
The latest payout follows a TZS 73.9 billion dividend distributed during the previous financial year and comes as the company continues to expand its telecommunications and digital financial services business across Tanzania.
Airtel Tanzania Plc Board Chairman Eliud Sanga said the dividend demonstrates the value created through collaboration between the government and the private sector while contributing to the country’s economy through telecommunications and digital financial services.
Airtel Tanzania among top commercial dividend contributors
The TZS 65.48 billion dividend places Airtel Tanzania as the third-largest commercial contributor to the government during the Treasury Registrar’s 2025/26 Gawio (Dividend) Day.
State-owned enterprises and companies with government shareholding collectively remitted a record TZS 1.327 trillion in dividends to the Treasury during the fiscal year, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Among commercial companies, Twiga Minerals Corporation emerged as the largest dividend contributor after remitting TZS 221.9 billion to the government, followed by NMB Bank Plc, which paid TZS 96.9 billion. Airtel Tanzania ranked third with a TZS 65.48 billion dividend, making it one of the country’s leading private sector contributors to the Treasury during the 2025/26 financial year.
Airtel Tanzania remains the country’s only private telecommunications operator that consistently pays direct dividends to the government, supported by earnings from its mobile connectivity and Airtel Money businesses.
Government has earned about TZS 350 billion since 2019
The latest dividend increases the government’s cumulative returns from its investment in Airtel Tanzania to approximately TZS 350 billion over the past seven years.
The company operates under a 51/49 ownership structure, with Bharti Airtel, through Airtel Africa, holding a 51 percent controlling stake, while the Government of Tanzania owns the remaining 49 percent.
The current ownership arrangement was established following the resolution of historical ownership issues linked to the former Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL). In 2019, Bharti Airtel transferred an additional 9 percent free-carry stake to the government, increasing the State’s holding from 40 percent to 49 percent and concluding the long-running ownership discussions.
Since then, the government has continued to receive annual dividend payments from the telecom operator.
Airtel expands network and digital financial services
Alongside dividend payments, Airtel Tanzania has continued investing in network infrastructure across the country.
Managing Director Charles Kamoto said the company invested more than US$316 million between 2021 and 2025 to expand its 4G and 5G networks, strengthen Airtel Money services, and improve digital connectivity nationwide.
The investments have supported increased access to mobile broadband and digital financial services while strengthening the company’s operations across Tanzania.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
