It is endemic to north-eastern Tanzania and known from the Usambara, Magrotto, and Nguru Mountains of Tanga Region.

[1][3] The specific name rogersi honours F. W. Rogers, the custodian of the Amani Research Institute at the time of the describers' visit to Usambara.

Males have only three fingers as the thumb is reduced to a stump with a sharp, protruding bone.

[5] Hoplophryne rogersi occurs in lowland and montane forest at elevations of 180–1,200 m (590–3,940 ft) above sea level, perhaps higher.

[1] The eggs are laid in phytotelmata: hollow bamboo stems, leaf axils, and tree holes.