Zanzibar is building fibre connections to homes and businesses. A faster line only helps if the network inside the building is ready for it.
What is happening
In June 2026 the Zanzibar government, through the Zanzibar ICT Infrastructure Agency (ZICTIA), signed a public-private partnership worth about TZS 300 billion with Yas Fibre. The government provides the backbone and Yas Fibre builds the last-mile connections. About 100,000 households are expected to be connected in the first three years, starting in Stone Town and extending across Unguja and Pemba.
President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has presented fibre-to-the-home as part of a wider plan to grow Zanzibar's digital economy. Read more in our article on Zanzibar's digital push.
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Why the inside network matters
Most complaints about "slow internet" come from inside the building, not from the line outside: one router in a corner, Wi-Fi through thick coral-stone walls, cheap switches, or many guests sharing one network. A fibre line delivers speed to the front door. Good design carries it to every room.
For homes
- Place the main router centrally, not in a cupboard by the door.
- Use mesh Wi-Fi or wired access points for larger houses and multi-storey buildings.
- Run a network cable to the TV and the home office where possible.
- Change the default router password and keep the firmware updated.
For hotels and guest houses
Guests judge a property by its Wi-Fi. A hotel network should:
- Use ceiling or wall access points planned room by room, with outdoor coverage for pools and terraces.
- Keep a separate guest network, isolated from reception, payment and CCTV systems.
- Limit bandwidth per device so one guest cannot slow everyone else.
- Use a second internet link from another provider so check-in, bookings and payments keep working if one line fails.
For offices
- Use structured cabling (Cat6) and a proper patch panel and rack.
- Use managed switches so staff, servers, CCTV and guests can be separated.
- Protect equipment with a UPS. Power cuts and surges damage routers and switches.
- Back up important files off site, and test restores.
Plan power for access points and cameras with our PoE budget calculator, or check your office with the network readiness check.
Choosing a connection
Compare providers on more than the advertised speed: ask about installation time, upload speed, fault response, a static IP address if you host services, and contract terms. Where possible, combine fibre with a mobile or wireless backup link.
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How Extrion can help
Extrion designs and installs networks across Zanzibar, from homes to hotels and offices: Wi-Fi surveys, cabling, racks, firewalls and backup links. See our network infrastructure service, browse networking equipment, or request a site visit.
Frequently asked questions
Who is building fibre-to-the-home in Zanzibar?
Yas Fibre, under a public-private partnership with the Zanzibar government signed through ZICTIA in June 2026.
How many households will be connected?
About 100,000 households are expected to be connected within the first three years of the partnership.
Why is my Wi-Fi slow even with a fast connection?
Usually because of the network inside the building: router placement, thick walls, too few access points or too many devices on one network. A Wi-Fi survey and proper access points fix most cases.
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