The Tanzania Shilling's (TZS) notable appreciation in August 2025—6.6% monthly and a 7.6% year-on-year reversal from prior depreciation—underscores a robust external sector, enhancing macroeconomic stability and bolstering growth prospects. This aligns with the Bank of Tanzania's (BoT) Monthly Economic Review (September 2025), which highlights export-driven inflows amid easing global oil prices, contributing to low inflation (3.4%) and estimated Q3 GDP growth above 6%. As of early October 2025, the TZS has further strengthened to around TZS 2,456 per USD, continuing the upward trend and reflecting sustained forex reserves (over USD 6 billion). In the broader context, the IMF's 2025 outlook projects 6.0% GDP growth and 4.0% inflation for Tanzania, driven by such external resilience, while the World Bank's regional updates note Sub-Saharan Africa's momentum amid global uncertainties. These dynamics imply reduced import costs, heightened investor confidence, and a virtuous cycle for private sector expansion (e.g., 16.2% credit growth), though they risk export competitiveness if over-appreciation persists.

1. Exchange Rate Movements

• In August 2025, the Tanzanian shilling appreciated against the US dollar.
• Exchange rate:
  • August 2025: TZS 2,490.16 per USD
  • July 2025: TZS 2,666.79 per USD
    → This shows a monthly appreciation of about 6.6%.
• On a year-on-year basis:
  • August 2024: The shilling had depreciated by 10.3%.
  • August 2025: It appreciated by 7.6%, reversing the prior trend.
• Against other major currencies, the shilling remained broadly stable.

2. Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM)

• Turnover:
  • August 2025: USD 101.5 million traded.
  • July 2025: USD 162.5 million traded.
    → Lower activity compared to July.
• Bank of Tanzania intervention: Auctioned USD 19.5 million to reduce volatility.

3. Drivers of Stability

• Adequate inflows from:
  • Cash crops exports
  • Tourism earnings
  • Gold exports
• Supported further by the easing of global oil prices, which reduced pressure on the import bill.

Table: Tanzanian Shilling Exchange Rate and Movements

*approximate figure based on annual depreciation reported in 2024.

Implications for Tanzania's Economic Development

1. Exchange Rate Movements: Enhanced Purchasing Power and Inflation Anchor

• Key Observations Recap: The TZS appreciated to TZS 2,490.16 per USD in August (from TZS 2,666.79 in July), marking a 6.6% monthly gain and a 7.6% y-o-y appreciation—flipping the 10.3% depreciation seen in August 2024. Stability held against other majors (e.g., EUR, GBP).
• Implications for Economic Development:
  • Trade Balance Improvement and Import Affordability: The stronger TZS lowers costs for essential imports like fuel and machinery, easing the trade deficit (projected at 6-7% of GDP). This supports manufacturing (3.4% credit growth) and agriculture (30.1% credit rise), key to the 6%+ growth estimate. With oil prices moderating (Chart 1.5), the appreciation could shave 0.5-1% off imported inflation, per IMF models, freeing household budgets for consumption and aiding poverty reduction (targeting 20% rate by 2025).
  • Investor Confidence and Capital Inflows: The reversal from 2024's weakness signals policy credibility, attracting FDI (up 15% y-o-y in H1 2025) in mining and tourism. The World Bank notes this stability underpins Tanzania's upper-middle-income aspirations by 2030, with forex reserves covering 4.5 months of imports.
  • Risks: Prolonged appreciation (now at TZS 2,456/USD as of October 8) could erode export margins for non-gold sectors, potentially slowing diversification. BoT's vigilant monitoring mitigates this, but global USD strength (from US rate cuts) poses upside risks.

2. Interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM): Deeper Market Liquidity with Managed Volatility

• Key Observations Recap: Turnover fell to USD 101.5 million (from USD 162.5 million in July), prompting BoT to auction USD 19.5 million for stability.
• Implications for Economic Development:
  • Market Maturation and Reserve Buffering: Lower turnover reflects seasonal normalization post-July peaks, but BoT's intervention (via auctions) ensures smooth liquidity, building reserves to USD 6.2 billion by September. This enhances financial deepening, with foreign currency deposits up 14.1% y-o-y (Table 2.3.1), supporting 21% M3 growth and cross-border trade.
  • Reduced Volatility for Business Planning: Targeted sales curb speculation, fostering predictability for exporters (e.g., gold firms). The African Development Bank links such stability to 10-12% annual export growth, critical for Tanzania's 14.8% total export rise to USD 16.89 billion in the year to August.
  • Risks: Declining activity could signal reduced private inflows if tourism dips seasonally; however, October data shows rebounding volumes amid sustained gold sales.

3. Drivers of Stability: Export-Led Resilience and Commodity Tailwinds

• Key Observations Recap: Appreciation fueled by cash crops, tourism earnings, and gold exports, plus lower oil import bills.
• Implications for Economic Development:
  • Diversified Revenue Streams: Gold exports hit a record USD 4.32 billion (up 35.5% y-o-y) for the year to August, comprising 25.6% of total exports, while tourism reached USD 3.92 billion (up 8%) by May. Cash crops (e.g., coffee, cotton) added seasonal USD 200-300 million inflows. This export boom (total +14.8%) narrows the current account deficit to 3.5% of GDP, per IMF estimates, funding infrastructure like Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.
  • Inflation and Fiscal Relief: Easing oil prices (down 5-7% globally) cut import costs by USD 150 million annually, reinforcing the 3-5% inflation target and enabling fiscal space (deficit at 4.5% GDP). The World Bank's October 2025 Africa's Pulse credits such factors for Tanzania's outperformance in SSA growth.
  • Risks: Over-reliance on gold (volatile at USD 3,368/oz) and tourism (weather-sensitive) exposes to shocks; diversification into cashews/tobacco (up 10% in H2) is key.

Overall Summary and Forward Outlook

The TZS's August appreciation implies a fortified foundation for Tanzania's development: cheaper imports control inflation, export inflows drive reserves, and stability attracts investment, aligning with 6% GDP targets. This contrasts with 2024's pressures, showcasing effective BoT tools amid global trade tariffs. Into Q4 2025, continued trends (e.g., gold at record highs) could push growth to 6.2%, per IMF, but BoT may intervene if appreciation exceeds 5% quarterly to protect exporters. Structural reforms—like boosting non-traditional exports—will sustain this momentum toward 7% medium-term growth.

As of February 2025, Tanzania’s gross official foreign reserves stood at USD 5,450.5 million, slightly down from USD 5,528.1 million in January, reflecting a 1.4% monthly decrease. Despite this dip, the reserves remained robust, covering 4.9 months of projected imports of goods and services, which is well above the East African Community benchmark of 4.5 months. This solid reserve position highlights the country's resilience to external shocks and its ability to stabilize the exchange rate and support key economic activities.

Tanzania Monthly Economic Review – March 2025, the foreign currency reserves of Tanzania remain adequate and stable, ensuring the country’s ability to support import needs and stabilize the shilling when needed.

 Tanzania’s Foreign Currency Reserves – February 2025

Reserve Level:

• Gross Official Reserves (February 2025):
  ➤ USD 5,450.5 million (USD 5.45 billion)

Import Cover:

• These reserves are sufficient to cover about 4.9 months of projected imports of goods and services, which is above the East African Community (EAC) benchmark of 4.5 months.

Comparison:

➤ Change:

• Reserves declined slightly by USD 77.6 million (≈1.4%), likely due to external debt repayments or forex interventions to stabilize the shilling.

What This Tells Us:

1. Reserves Remain Healthy:
   Even with the slight decline, reserves are still well above the regional safety threshold, meaning Tanzania can comfortably meet its import and external payment needs.
2. Buffer Against Shilling Volatility:
   The Bank of Tanzania has enough reserves to intervene in the forex market when needed, which helps explain the stable TZS/USD exchange rate despite higher demand for USD.
3. Macroeconomic Stability Signal:
   Sustained reserves above 4.5 months of import cover signal strong external sector management and improve investor confidence.

✅ Bottom Line:

Tanzania’s foreign currency reserves stood at USD 5.45 billion in February 2025, enough for 4.9 months of imports, underscoring the country's resilience to external shocks and its capacity to support economic stability.