Tanzania: economy

What is Tanzania's GDP growth rate?

Tanzania's economy grew 6.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, up from 4.3% in the same quarter of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure covers the United Republic, Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar together.

Financial and insurance services grew 19.1% and health 13.0%, while construction grew 2.0% and manufacturing 3.0%. For the whole of 2025, growth was 5.9%, and the Bank of Tanzania Governor said in July 2026 that growth is projected to reach 6.3% in 2026. Quarterly figures are published on the NBS GDP page.

Official sources: NBS: Highlights on the first quarter GDP of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Tanzania: Governor on the economy at the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee, July 2026 · NBS: Gross Domestic Product releases

What is the inflation rate in Tanzania?

Tanzania's annual inflation rate was 4.3% in September 2026, unchanged from August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were 3.9% higher than a year earlier, and core inflation was 4.1%.

Transport prices rose 14.0% over the year, the largest increase of any group. The Bank of Tanzania aims to keep inflation within a national target range of 3% to 5%. The NBS consumer price index covers 383 goods and services, with prices collected in all 26 regional headquarters on the Mainland.

Official sources: NBS: National Consumer Price Index for September 2026 (PDF) · NBS: Mfumuko wa bei wabaki 4.3% (Swahili) · Bank of Tanzania: Governor on the economy at the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee, July 2026

What is Tanzania's interest rate?

The Bank of Tanzania's Central Bank Rate is 6.25%, according to the Bank of Tanzania. The Monetary Policy Committee raised it from 5.75% in July 2026 to contain the effect of higher oil prices, the Governor said.

Banks' overall lending rate averaged 15.05% in August 2026 and the 12-month deposit rate 9.36%, according to the Bank's Monthly Economic Review. The Committee meets each quarter; its next meeting after October is scheduled for 6 January 2027, according to the MPC calendar.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: homepage indicators · Bank of Tanzania: Governor on the economy at the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee, July 2026 · Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Tanzania: MPC meetings calendar 2026/27 (PDF)

What is the shilling to dollar exchange rate?

The Bank of Tanzania's mean indicative rate was 2,631.9855 shillings per US dollar on 15 October 2026, with a buying rate of 2,618.8911 and a selling rate of 2,645.08, according to the Bank of Tanzania.

Gross official reserves were US$5,888.2 million at the end of August 2026, equal to 4.2 months of projected imports, according to the Bank's Monthly Economic Review. The Bank has been buying gold to add to reserves: about 28 tonnes in 18 months, worth US$3.68 billion, according to the Bank of Tanzania.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: indicative exchange rates · Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Tanzania: BoT accumulates 28 tonnes of gold in 18 months

How much does Tanzania export?

Tanzania exported goods worth US$11,960.8 million in the year to August 2026, 19.8% more than a year earlier, according to the Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review. Goods imports rose 24.1% to US$17,770.9 million.

Exports of goods and services together were US$20,216.2 million; services receipts, mainly from tourism and transport, were US$8,255.4 million. Because imports grew faster, the current account deficit widened to US$2,481.8 million, from US$1,700.9 million a year earlier. The Bank links the rise in imports to higher costs of petroleum products and inputs.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF)

What is Tanzania's GDP per capita?

Tanzania's GDP per person was US$1,319 in 2025, up from US$1,193 in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. Gross national income per person was US$1,270, according to the World Bank.

The population was 70.5 million in 2025, 2.9% more than a year earlier, according to the World Bank. GDP at current prices was 62.7 trillion shillings in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Tanzania · World Bank: GNI per capita, Tanzania · World Bank: population, Tanzania · NBS: Highlights on the first quarter GDP of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2026 (PDF)

Is Tanzania's economy growing?

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in Tanzania was 5.9% in 2025. The peak was 7.7% in 2011 and the low 2.0% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.6%, and Tanzania placed 14th highest of 46. Worldwide: 33rd of 180.

What is Tanzania's GDP per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Tanzania at $1,319 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 24th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $1,351. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 158th highest.

What is Tanzania's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Tanzania was $4,471 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $4,425 in international dollars; Tanzania is 23rd highest of 46. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

What share of Tanzania's economy is exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in Tanzania was 19.0% of GDP, according to the World Bank. The peak was 22.4% of GDP in 2012 and the low 13.5% of GDP in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 26.1% of GDP; Tanzania is 27th highest of 38. Of 133 countries with 2025 data, 109th highest.

Does Tanzania have a current account surplus or deficit?

-3.0% of GDP: that is the current account balance in Tanzania for 2024, according to the IMF, which is a deficit. The peak was -2.2% of GDP in 2019 and the low -12.6% of GDP in 2011. It is 13th highest of 36 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -4.2% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 162.

How much foreign investment does Tanzania receive?

The IMF puts net inflows of foreign direct investment in Tanzania at 1.9% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 5.7% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 1.4% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and Tanzania placed 25th highest of 46. Worldwide: 94th of 179.

What interest rate do banks charge in Tanzania?

In 2020, the average bank lending rate in Tanzania was 16.7%, according to the IMF. The peak was 17.8% in 2017 and the low 14.5% in 2010. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12.3%, and Tanzania placed 10th highest of 28. World rank, highest first: 17th of 109.