MTANDAO POINT is a community-driven initiative focused on providing affordable and reliable internet access to underserved communities. The project addresses the high cost of mobile data and digital exclusion by deploying a shared Wi-Fi network using a switch-based distribution system and plans to implement a mesh topology for broader coverage.

Since its launch in November 2024, MTANDAO POINT has rapidly gained traction, growing from an initial revenue of TZS 280,000 in the first month to TZS 14,000,000 by December 2024. This growth is driven by an increasing user base and the high demand for cost-effective internet services.

Beyond connectivity, MTANDAO POINT is empowering farmers through a unique model where users collectively contribute service fees, which are reinvested into agricultural inputs and loans, fostering economic sustainability. The project enhances digital inclusion, providing access to online education, financial services, and business opportunities.

With a vision to expand across Tanzania, MTANDAO POINT is bridging the digital divide, creating economic opportunities, and ensuring that communities thrive in the digital era. Through scalable, community-owned internet solutions, the initiative is transforming lives and setting a new standard for inclusive connectivity.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtandao-point

• Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

• Youth
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

MTANDAO POINT’s model is highly adaptable for regions facing high internet costs and digital exclusion. It can be replicated in rural areas, agricultural communities, developing countries, and public institutions by using affordable networking infrastructure. The project’s farmer-focused model, where service fees are reinvested into agricultural support, makes it particularly beneficial for farming regions. Its scalability and community-driven approach make it a sustainable solution for bridging the digital divide worldwide.

MTANDAO POINT is sustainable through its financial model, which reinvests service fees into network maintenance and community support for farmers. Socially, it empowers communities by enhancing digital inclusion and fostering local ownership. Technologically, it uses scalable, cost-effective solutions like mesh topology to adapt to growing demand. This balance of financial, social, and technological factors ensures long-term sustainability and impact.

MTANDAO POINT promotes WSIS values by fostering digital inclusion, providing affordable internet access to underserved communities, and enabling knowledge sharing for education and agriculture. It supports sustainable development by reinvesting service fees into agricultural loans and inputs for farmers. The project also encourages collaboration and trust through its community-driven model, aligning with WSIS principles of equitable access, multistakeholder partnerships, and capacity building.