Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Ltd

| Economic Research Centre

Impact of Monetary Contraction on Tanzania's Economy
October 13, 2023  
Impact of Monetary Contraction on Tanzania's Economy: Analyzes the decline in net domestic assets, domestic claims, and various money supply measures and its potential effects on economic activity. In August 2023, the money supply in Tanzania exhibited various changes and trends. This research is categorized into different components, including net foreign assets, net domestic assets, […]

Impact of Monetary Contraction on Tanzania's Economy: Analyzes the decline in net domestic assets, domestic claims, and various money supply measures and its potential effects on economic activity.

In August 2023, the money supply in Tanzania exhibited various changes and trends. This research is categorized into different components, including net foreign assets, net domestic assets, and different measures of broad and narrow money supply:

Net Foreign Assets:

  • On August 22, net foreign assets were at -17.7 billion units of the currency.
  • In July, they were at -0.5 billion units.
  • By August 23, they increased to 3.8 billion units.
  • This represents a substantial one-month change, with net foreign assets growing by 113%.
  • Comparing to the same period the previous year, there has been a significant increase of 566% in net foreign assets.

Bank of Tanzania:

  • On August 22, the Bank of Tanzania had -11.2 billion units.
  • In July, it had 1.4 billion units.
  • By August 23, the Bank of Tanzania's assets increased to 6.1 billion units.
  • This represents a one-month change of 77%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been an increase of 284% in the Bank of Tanzania's assets.

Net Domestic Assets:

  • On August 22, net domestic assets were 29.9 billion units.
  • In July, they were 30.2 billion units.
  • By August 23, they decreased to 22.8 billion units.
  • This represents a one-month decline of 32%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a decrease of 31% in net domestic assets.

Domestic Claims:

  • On August 22, domestic claims were 27.3 billion units.
  • In July, they were 23.1 billion units.
  • By August 23, they further decreased to 17.5 billion units.
  • This represents a one-month decline of 32%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a substantial decrease of 56% in domestic claims.

Claims on the Private Sector:

  • Claims on the private sector slightly increased from 20.7 billion units in July to 21 billion units in August, representing a 1% increase.

Extended Broad Money (M3):

  • The extended broad money supply (M3) decreased from 20.9 billion units in July to 17.4 billion units in August, representing a one-month decline of 20%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 34% increase in M3.

Foreign Currency Deposits:

  • Foreign currency deposits decreased from 32.4 billion units in July to 22.5 billion units in August, representing a substantial one-month decline of 44%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 66% increase in foreign currency deposits.

Broad Money Supply (M2):

  • The broad money supply (M2) decreased from 17.8 billion units in July to 15.9 billion units in August, representing a one-month decline of 12%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 21% increase in M2.

Other Deposits:

  • Other deposits increased from 15.7 billion units in July to 17.1 billion units in August, representing an 8% one-month increase.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 13% decrease in other deposits.

Narrow Money Supply (M1):

  • The narrow money supply (M1) decreased from 19.2 billion units in July to 15.2 billion units in August, representing a one-month decline of 26%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 41% increase in M1.

Currency in Circulation:

  • Currency in circulation increased from 15.2 billion units in July to 16.3 billion units in August, representing a 7% one-month increase.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 25% increase in currency in circulation.

Transferable Deposits:

  • Transferable deposits decreased from 21.1 billion units in July to 14.7 billion units in August, representing a substantial one-month decline of 44%.
  • Compared to the same period the previous year, there has been a 48% increase in transferable deposits.

The contraction in various money supply measures may raise concerns about economic activity in the short term. However, the increase in net foreign assets and central bank assets shows efforts to stabilize or stimulate the economy, which can be important for long-term economic growth:

Net Foreign Assets:

The significant increase in net foreign assets, both in the one-month and one-year comparisons, indicates a substantial influx of foreign currency into the country. This could be due to factors such as foreign investments, trade balances, or financial inflows. An increase in net foreign assets is generally seen as a positive sign for economic stability.

Bank of Tanzania Assets:

The substantial growth in the assets of the central bank (Bank of Tanzania) is indicative of its monetary policy interventions. It shows that the central bank may be actively managing monetary policy to stabilize or stimulate the economy, which can be a response to economic conditions and goals.

Net Domestic Assets and Domestic Claims:

The decline in net domestic assets and domestic claims indicates a reduction in the money supply generated within the country. A decrease in these figures can be interpreted as a contraction in domestic lending and money creation. This might be an attempt to control inflation or address other monetary concerns.

Claims on the Private Sector:

The slight increase in claims on the private sector can show that banks are willing to extend credit to businesses, potentially supporting economic activity and growth.

Extended Broad Money (M3):

The decrease in the extended broad money supply (M3) shows that the overall money supply in the economy has contracted in the short term. This can have implications for economic growth as a decrease in the money supply may lead to reduced spending and investment.

Foreign Currency Deposits:

The sharp decline in foreign currency deposits may indicate reduced confidence in holding foreign currency or other factors impacting the demand for foreign currency. This may have implications for exchange rates and international trade.

Broad Money Supply (M2):

The decrease in M2 indicates a contraction in a broader measure of the money supply, which can affect liquidity and economic activity.

Narrow Money Supply (M1):

The significant decrease in narrow money supply (M1) may indicate reduced cash and liquid assets in circulation. A contraction in M1 can have immediate effects on consumer spending and short-term economic activity.

Currency in Circulation:

The increase in currency in circulation might indicate that people are holding more cash, potentially due to concerns about the stability of financial assets or a preference for cash transactions.

Transferable Deposits:

The decrease in transferable deposits can show a decrease in the availability of short-term, liquid assets, which can have implications for financial stability.

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