The Tanzanian government has mandated the nationwide implementation of a standardized residential addressing system, aiming to improve service delivery, enhance security, and boost the efficiency of public and private sector operations, officials announced on Monday.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications, requires all households, businesses, and public institutions to register and adopt official residential addresses within a specified timeframe. The policy is part of Tanzania’s broader digital infrastructure agenda and seeks to modernize location-based services across the country.
Minister of Works, Transport and Communications, Esther Mahondo, said the system would facilitate emergency services, postal deliveries, utility management, and financial inclusion. “A precise and standardized addressing system is critical for development. It allows governments, businesses, and citizens to operate more efficiently, reduces risks in service delivery, and strengthens planning at local and national levels,” she said during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam.
The nationwide rollout will be supported by local authorities, who will map streets, neighborhoods, and rural settlements, assigning official codes and geographic coordinates to each property. The government said this initiative will complement existing digital platforms and enhance integration with e-government services, including tax administration, social welfare programs, and utility management.
Officials emphasized that the adoption of the addressing system is also critical for the growth of e-commerce and logistics sectors, which rely heavily on accurate location data to serve customers efficiently. Tanzania’s rapidly expanding online retail market, along with food delivery, courier, and ride-hailing services, stands to benefit significantly from improved address accuracy.
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The initiative will also support financial inclusion efforts by facilitating account opening and the delivery of banking and mobile money services in both urban and rural areas. Currently, many households in remote and informal settlements lack formal addresses, creating challenges for service providers and delaying access to government benefits and financial services.
Local governments are expected to play a central role in outreach and education, ensuring that residents understand the registration process and the benefits of compliance. Officials indicated that failure to adopt official addresses could result in difficulties in accessing public services and business licenses, although authorities said no immediate penalties would be imposed during the initial rollout phase.
Experts note that similar addressing initiatives in other African countries, including Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, have led to tangible improvements in service delivery, emergency response times, and economic inclusion. Digital address systems, often linked with mobile mapping applications, provide a foundation for urban planning, infrastructure development, and national statistical exercises.
The government also plans to link the residential addressing system with national identification programs and geographic information systems (GIS), creating a comprehensive database to support long-term urban and rural development planning.
“The addressing system is more than just a convenience; it is a tool for governance, planning, and economic growth,” said Dr. Joseph Maleko, a geospatial analyst in Dar es Salaam. “With accurate location data, Tanzania can improve everything from healthcare delivery and disaster response to investment promotion and transport planning.”
The nationwide rollout is expected to begin in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha, before expanding to peri-urban and rural areas. Officials project that full adoption across the country could be achieved within three to five years, laying the groundwork for a more connected, organized, and digitally enabled Tanzania.
