The only telecommunication company operating in Tanzania listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) reported Sh507.991 billion in revenues during the period, up from Sh484.981 billion that was registered during a similar period last year.
While M-Pesa remains the major source of money amid a sustained decline in income from mobile voice, it is actually data that has emerged as the fastest growing revenue-generating stream for Vodacom during the period under review.
Mobile data revenue increased 29.9 percent to Sh125.9 billion.
This puts data as the third highest source of revenue for Vodacom Tanzania, contributing 24.8 percent of service revenue, the company’s interim condensed consolidated financial results for the period ended 30 September 2022, shows. At Sh169.6 billion and Sh143.8 billion, M-Pesa and mobile voice remain the first and second highest sources revenue for Vodacom Tanzania respectively.
This, according to the financial results, was due to 28.3 percent improvement in the average amount that subscribers spent on data (Average Revenue Per User – ARPU) during the period.
“….this reflects strong demand for data services as a result of our continued investment into the network and acceleration of smartphone adoption,” the company says in its financial statement, adding that during the period, monthly average usage per customer grew 28.6 percent to 2.0 gigabyte.
Similarly, smartphone users on Vodacom’s network grew 18.2 percent to 4.7 million representing 58.8 percent penetration to data customer base, thanks primarily to the firm’s commercial initiatives in driving smartphone adoption and conversion, including investment in device subsidy and expanding our share of open market device sales.
While M-Pesa is also seen to be on the recovery, the company says, the rise in revenue was also partly supported by another double-digit growth in revenue from fixed services.
“The decision by the government to review levies on mobile money transfer and withdrawal transactions introduced on 15 July 2021, is a welcome move. The reduction is particularly relevant to our peer-to-peer and cash-out transactions which posted a modest recovery in the second quarter and our ability to expand financial inclusion to more Tanzanians,” Vodacom Tanzania’s managing director, Mr Philip Besiimire, said.
M-Pesa customers recovered to 7.7 million, up 19.5 percent.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
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