Tanzania flag

Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania
Kiswahili and English Currency TZS Common law mixed EAC • SADC • AfCFTA

Large East African market with steady growth and rising regional integration. Logistics corridors through Dar es Salaam and the Central Corridor support trade with land linked neighbors. Policy focus is on transport links, power capacity including new hydro units, private investment, and digital services scale up.

Overview

Growth remains resilient with services, construction, mining, and manufacturing as key drivers. Integration within the East African Community is deepening, supported by port upgrades, SGR rollout, and customs systems. Investment facilitation runs through TIC, BRELA online company services, and TRA e services for tax.

Snapshot

Population
~68.6 M 2024
World Bank
GDP current USD
$78.8 B 2024
World Bank
GDP per Capita
$1,186 2024
World Bank
Inflation y over y
~3.3% Jul 2025
NBS and TE series
Policy Rate
5.75% Jul 2025
Reuters
Internet Use
29.0% 2023
World Bank
Electrification
~46% 2022
World Bank feature
Market Note
DSE equities and gov bonds
Exchange

Focus Sectors

Gold and Mining Natural Gas and LNG Agribusiness coffee cashew cotton tea Tourism and Zanzibar Ports rail and corridors Construction and materials Power grid and hydro Digital and mobile money Light manufacturing and FMCG Blue economy and fisheries

Trade

Top Export Partners 2023

  • India~17%
  • South Africa~14%
  • United Arab Emirates~11%
  • Kenya~6%
  • Switzerland~5%
WITS 2023

Main Export Goods

Gold Coffee tea tobacco Cashew nuts and cotton Mineral concentrates

Top Import Partners 2023

  • China~27%
  • India~12.8%
  • United Arab Emirates~9.4%
  • Saudi Arabia~6.1%
  • Japan~4.3%
TrendEconomy 2023

Top Import Goods 2023

  • Refined petroleum$3.19 B
  • Wheat$0.47 B
  • Tractors$0.41 B
  • Cars$0.39 B
  • Packaged medicaments—
OEC 2023

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyTanzanian Shilling TZS
  • Monetary policy rate5.75%
  • Inflation trendlow single digits mid 2025
BoT via Reuters and NBS

Markets

  • ExchangeDar es Salaam Stock Exchange
  • InstrumentsEquities and gov bonds and REITs
  • AccessMobile and online channels
DSE

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Check name and register — BRELA ORS
  2. Obtain TIN and tax accounts — TRA portal
  3. Open bank account and deposit capital
  4. Apply for sector license if needed — Business Portal
  5. VAT registration where applicable — TRA
  6. Investment incentives and land derivatives — TIC
BRELA and TRA and TIC and Business Portal

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax30%
  • VAT standard18% (selected e pay at 16% from Sep 2025)
  • WHT Dividends5% or 10% residency rules
  • WHT Interest10%
  • WHT Royalties10% or 15% depending on case
PwC and KPMG 2025

Talent

Median Age
~17.5 yrs
UN and Worldometer
Adult Literacy
~76% 2020 and 2021 survey
World Bank blog using NPS
Internet Users
29% 2023
World Bank
Languages
Kiswahili and English
Gov

Policy

  • AfCFTARatified with phased implementation
  • EnergyNyerere hydro units connected in 2024 to ease shortages
  • Regional integrationEAC customs and trade facilitation and corridor upgrades
Reuters and Gov releases

Risks

  • Weather and hydro outputHydro variability can affect power supply
  • FX and external balanceShilling pressure requires careful policy mix
  • Compliance and licensingSector rules differ across mainland and Zanzibar
Reuters and IMF notes

Resources

BRELA online registry TRA taxpayer portal Business Licensing portal TIC one stop investment WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile DSE exchange

Links open in a new tab.

Data Notes
Population and GDP series from World Bank WDI 2024. GDP per capita current USD 2024. Inflation from NBS monthly CPI releases and Trading Economics tracker July 2025. Policy rate from Reuters July 3 2025 BoT rate cut to 5.75 percent. Internet users share 2023 from World Bank. Electrification progress from World Bank feature on Tanzania energy access 2025. Trade partners WITS 2023. Import goods composition from OEC 2023. Taxes from PwC Tanzania WWTS 2025 and KPMG 2025 updates including 16 percent e pay VAT measure effective Sep 2025. DSE facts from official site.