In Q4 2024, Tanzania’s agricultural GDP soared to 11,252,481 TZS Million (USD 4.11 billion), a 60.7% increase from 7,003,566.89 TZS Million (USD 2.56 billion) in Q3 2024, driven by cash crops like cashew nuts and tobacco, per the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). From 2005 to 2024, agricultural GDP averaged 5,776,720.05 TZS Million, growing at a CAGR of ~11.2%, with 2024 marking an all-time high. Contributing 25.3% to Tanzania’s USD 79 billion economy in 2023, agriculture employs 65% of the workforce. Tanzania ranks 2nd in East Africa for agricultural GDP, behind Ethiopia’s USD 6.45 billion, and 9th in Africa for nominal GDP, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire (USD 86 billion) but trailing Nigeria (USD 252 billion).

Explanation of Figures and Years:

• Agricultural GDP (Q4 2024): 11,252,481 TZS Million (USD 4.11 billion, using 2,735 TZS/USD) reflects a 60.7% quarter-on-quarter growth from Q3 2024’s 7,003,566.89 TZS Million (USD 2.56 billion), highlighting a significant seasonal or policy-driven surge (e.g., cashew nut exports via the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange).
• Historical Context (2005-2024): The average agricultural GDP of 5,776,720.05 TZS Million and a CAGR of ~11.2% (calculated from 1,496,674.79 TZS Million in Q3 2005 to the 2024 peak) show consistent long-term growth.
• GDP Contribution (2023): Agriculture’s 25.3% share of Tanzania’s USD 79 billion GDP underscores its economic dominance, with 65% workforce engagement noted in 2022.
• Regional Position (2024): Tanzania’s USD 4.11 billion agricultural GDP ranks 2nd in East Africa, behind Ethiopia (USD 6.45 billion), and its USD 79 billion nominal GDP places it 9th in Africa, compared to Nigeria’s USD 252 billion and Côte d’Ivoire’s USD 86 billion, based on 2024 estimates from web sources.

Recent Data and Growth Trends:

• According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) - Tanzania, the GDP from agriculture in Tanzania reached 11,252,481 TZS Million (approximately USD 4.11 billion, using an exchange rate of 2,735 TZS/USD as of early 2025) in Q4 2024, a significant increase from 7,003,566.89 TZS Million (approximately USD 2.56 billion) in Q3 2024. This represents a quarter-on-quarter growth of 60.7%, indicating a robust seasonal or policy-driven surge in agricultural output.
• The average agricultural GDP from 2005 to 2024 was 5,776,720.05 TZS Million, with a record low of 1,496,674.79 TZS Million in Q3 2005 and the all-time high in Q4 2024. This reflects a long-term upward trend, with the 2024 Q4 figure being 7.5 times the 2005 low, showcasing significant growth in the sector over two decades.
• From 2005 to 2024, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of agricultural GDP can be estimated using the formula: CAGR=(1,496,674.7911,252,481​)191​−1≈0.112 or 11.2% This indicates an average annual growth rate of approximately 11.2%, driven by improvements in productivity, policy reforms, and market access.

Contribution to National GDP:

• Agriculture accounted for 25.3% of Tanzania’s GDP in 2023, per web sources, and 15.9% of GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2024, making it the largest contributor to economic growth during that period.
• Tanzania’s total GDP in 2024 was estimated at USD 79 billion (approximately 216,065 billion TZS, using the 2025 exchange rate).
• Agricultural GDP in Q4 2024 (11,252,481 TZS Million or 11.25 trillion TZS) represents about 5.2% of the annual GDP for a single quarter, suggesting agriculture’s significant seasonal contribution, likely due to harvest cycles or policy impacts like the online auction system for cash crops.
• In 2021, agriculture contributed 27% to GDP, indicating a slight decline in its share by 2023 (25.3%), reflecting gradual diversification into industry (31%) and services (42%). However, agriculture remains the backbone of employment, engaging 65% of the workforce in 2022, down from 84.8% in the early 1990s.

Key Drivers of Agricultural GDP Growth:

• Cash Crops: The Q4 2024 surge was driven by increased production of cash crops like cashew nuts, tobacco, and cereals. Cashew nut procurement reached a five-year high, boosted by the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange’s online auction system, which improved farmer prices and market efficiency.
• Policy Reforms: Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, agricultural budget allocations increased from 294 billion TZS in 2021/22 to 1.248 trillion TZS in 2024/25 (a 324.49% rise), enhancing productivity and infrastructure.
• Export Growth: Agricultural exports, including cashew nuts and tobacco, contributed to total exports reaching USD 16.1 billion (20% of GDP) in 2024, up from 18% in 2023.
• Climate and Investment: A favorable agricultural season in 2024, coupled with increased electricity supply and business environment improvements, supported growth.

Tanzania’s Position in Africa

Comparison with Other African Countries: The provided data lists agricultural GDP for several African countries in Q4 2024, but direct comparisons are challenging due to differing currencies and economic structures. To contextualize, I’ll convert Tanzania’s figures to USD for consistency (using approximate 2025 exchange rates where available) and compare with key countries, supplemented by web data on nominal GDP rankings.

• Tanzania: 11,252,481 TZS Million ≈ USD 4.11 billion (2,735 TZS/USD).
• Nigeria: 5,785,472 NGN Million ≈ USD 3.47 billion (1,665 NGN/USD). Nigeria’s agricultural GDP is slightly lower than Tanzania’s in USD terms, despite Nigeria’s larger overall economy (USD 252 billion nominal GDP in 2024, Africa’s largest). Agriculture contributes less to Nigeria’s GDP (around 20%) compared to Tanzania’s 25.3%.
• Kenya: 434,459 KES Million ≈ USD 3.37 billion (129 KES/USD). Kenya’s agricultural GDP is comparable to Tanzania’s but slightly lower, despite Kenya’s larger overall economy (USD 104 billion, 7th in Africa).
• South Africa: 115,477 ZAR Million ≈ USD 6.43 billion (18 ZAR/USD). South Africa’s agricultural GDP is higher in USD terms, reflecting its diversified and industrialized agricultural sector, but its overall GDP (USD 373 billion, 2nd in Africa) dwarfs Tanzania’s.
• Ethiopia: 774 ETB Billion (774,000 million) ≈ USD 6.45 billion (120 ETB/USD). Ethiopia’s agricultural GDP is higher, as agriculture dominates its economy (around 35% of GDP), and its total GDP is USD 127 billion (5th in Africa).
• Egypt: 689,598 EGP Million ≈ USD 14.09 billion (49 EGP/USD). Egypt’s agricultural GDP is significantly higher, reflecting its large-scale irrigation-based agriculture, with a total GDP of USD 348 billion (3rd in Africa).

Ranking in Africa:

• Tanzania’s nominal GDP in 2024 was USD 79 billion, ranking it 9th in Africa behind Nigeria (1st, USD 252 billion), South Africa (2nd), Egypt (3rd), Algeria (4th), Ethiopia (5th), Morocco (6th), Kenya (7th), Angola (8th), and ahead of Côte d’Ivoire (10th, USD 86 billion).
• In terms of agricultural GDP, Tanzania’s USD 4.11 billion in Q4 2024 places it among the top contributors, likely in the top 5-7 in Africa, behind countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa but ahead of Nigeria and Kenya for that quarter. This is notable given Tanzania’s smaller overall economy compared to Nigeria or South Africa.
• Agriculture’s share of GDP (25.3% in 2023) is higher than Nigeria (20%), Kenya (15-20%), and South Africa (2-3%), but lower than Ethiopia (35%). This underscores Tanzania’s heavy reliance on agriculture relative to more industrialized economies like South Africa.

Tanzania’s Position in East Africa

East African Context: East Africa is the continent’s fastest-growing region, with projected GDP growth of 4.9% in 2024 and 5.7% in 2025, driven by countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Tanzania is a key player in this region, both economically and agriculturally.

• Tanzania vs. Kenya:
  • Agricultural GDP: Tanzania’s USD 4.11 billion in Q4 2024 surpasses Kenya’s USD 3.37 billion, reflecting Tanzania’s larger agricultural sector. Kenya’s agriculture contributes around 15-20% to its GDP (USD 104 billion), compared to Tanzania’s 25.3%.
  • Overall Economy: Tanzania’s GDP (USD 79 billion) is smaller than Kenya’s (USD 104 billion), making Tanzania the 2nd largest economy in East Africa after Kenya.
  • Agricultural Employment: Tanzania’s agriculture employs 65% of the workforce, higher than Kenya’s ~40%, indicating greater dependence on the sector.
• Tanzania vs. Uganda:
  • Agricultural GDP: Uganda’s 8,948 UGX Billion ≈ USD 2.43 billion (3,680 UGX/USD) is lower than Tanzania’s USD 4.11 billion, showing Tanzania’s stronger agricultural output.
  • Overall Economy: Uganda’s GDP (~USD 45 billion) is significantly smaller, ranking it 4th in East Africa after Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
  • Agricultural Contribution: Agriculture accounts for ~24% of Uganda’s GDP, similar to Tanzania, but Tanzania’s larger scale and export focus (e.g., cashew nuts) give it an edge.

• Tanzania vs. Ethiopia:
  • Agricultural GDP: Ethiopia’s USD 6.45 billion dwarfs Tanzania’s USD 4.11 billion, as Ethiopia’s agriculture is more extensive due to its larger population (120 million vs. Tanzania’s 65 million) and arable land.
  • Overall Economy: Ethiopia’s GDP (USD 127 billion) ranks it 1st in East Africa, ahead of Tanzania.
  • Agricultural Contribution: Ethiopia’s agriculture contributes ~35% to GDP, higher than Tanzania’s 25.3%, reflecting its greater reliance on the sector.
• Tanzania vs. Rwanda:
  • Agricultural GDP: Rwanda’s 658 RWF Billion ≈ USD 0.48 billion (1,370 RWF/USD) is much smaller than Tanzania’s, reflecting Rwanda’s smaller economy (USD 13 billion).
  • Overall Economy: Tanzania far outpaces Rwanda, which ranks lower in East Africa.
  • Agricultural Contribution: Rwanda’s agriculture contributes ~25% to GDP, similar to Tanzania, but its scale is limited by land size.

Regional Leadership:

• Tanzania is the 2nd largest economy in East Africa after Kenya, with a GDP of USD 79 billion in 2024, and its agricultural GDP of USD 4.11 billion in Q4 2024 likely places it 2nd in the region behind Ethiopia.
• East Africa’s regional GDP growth is driven by agriculture, services, and infrastructure, with Tanzania contributing significantly (17% of Africa’s GDP in 2022, projected to rise to 29% by 2040).
• Tanzania’s agricultural exports (e.g., cashew nuts, tobacco) and tourism (5.7% of GDP in 2021) bolster its trade hub status, enhanced by the Dar es Salaam port, which serves six landlocked neighbors.

Insights and Challenges

• Strengths: Tanzania’s agricultural GDP growth reflects improved productivity, export performance, and government investment. Its 2nd-place ranking in East Africa and top-tier agricultural contribution in Africa highlight its regional importance.
• Challenges: Dependence on agriculture (65% of employment, 25.3% of GDP) makes Tanzania vulnerable to climate shocks. Poverty remains high (43% below USD 2.15/day), and structural transformation is slow due to limited industrialization.
• Opportunities: Continued reforms, infrastructure projects (e.g., Standard Gauge Railway), and regional trade agreements (e.g., AfCFTA) could enhance Tanzania’s position as an agricultural and trade hub.

Conclusion

Tanzania’s agricultural GDP of 11,252,481 TZS Million (USD 4.11 billion) in Q4 2024 underscores its robust agricultural sector, driven by cash crops and policy reforms. It ranks 2nd in East Africa behind Ethiopia in agricultural output and overall GDP (USD 79 billion), and 9th in Africa, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire but behind Nigeria and South Africa. Its agricultural contribution (25.3% of GDP) is higher than most regional peers, cementing its role as a key agricultural player, though diversification and climate resilience remain critical for sustained growth.

Key Figures Table

The table includes:

• Agricultural GDP (Q4 2024, USD Billion): Converted from local currencies using approximate 2025 exchange rates.
• Nominal GDP (2024, USD Billion): Sourced from web data for context.
• Agriculture’s Share of GDP (%): Based on 2023/2024 data from web sources or inferred from context.
• Region: To distinguish East African countries from others in Africa.
• Notes: Highlights key factors or context for each country’s agricultural sector.

Notes:

• Agricultural GDP: Calculated for Q4 2024 using provided data and exchange rates (e.g., Tanzania: 11,252,481 TZS Million ÷ 2,735 = USD 4.11 billion).
• Nominal GDP: Sourced from 2024 estimates (e.g., IMF, World Bank data from web sources).
• Agriculture’s Share: Based on 2023/2024 data or estimates from web sources (e.g., Tanzania: 25.3% in 2023; Ethiopia: ~35%).
• Exchange Rates: Approximate, reflecting early 2025 values for consistency in comparisons.
• Context: Tanzania ranks 2nd in East Africa for both agricultural GDP (behind Ethiopia) and nominal GDP (behind Kenya). In Africa, it ranks 9th in nominal GDP and likely top 5-7 in agricultural GDP for Q4 2024.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Tanzania, the GDP from mining in Tanzania reached 2,317,959 TZS million (approximately 0.923 billion USD at an exchange rate of about 2,510 TZS per USD) in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 2,283,791.41 TZS million in the third quarter of 2024. This marks an all-time high, reflecting a year-on-year growth and a significant rise from the historical average of 1,004,540.49 TZS million (2005–2024). The lowest recorded value was 197,832.14 TZS million in Q4 2008, indicating a remarkable increase of over 1,000% in nominal terms over 16 years.

The growth in Tanzania’s mining GDP is driven by:

• Gold Production: Tanzania is Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer (after South Africa, Ghana, and Mali), with annual production of approximately 40–47 metric tons in recent years. Gold exports alone were valued at USD 2.86 billion in 2022/2023, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
• Diverse Mineral Portfolio: Tanzania mines over 40 types of minerals, including diamonds, tanzanite (unique to Tanzania), coal, copper, nickel, lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements. Notable increases in coal exports (from USD 23.2 million to USD 228.6 million year-on-year) and diamond exports (from USD 9.6 million to USD 66.9 million) have bolstered the sector.
• Policy Reforms: Government initiatives under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, including enhanced regulatory frameworks, gemstone auctions, and local mineral markets, have increased the sector’s GDP contribution from 7.2% in 2021 to 10.1% in 2024, surpassing the 2026 target of 10%.
• Investment and Infrastructure: Investments in mining, such as deals with Australian companies worth USD 3.15 billion for rare earths and graphite, and Tesla’s contract for anode active material, have boosted output.

Tanzania’s Position in Africa

Tanzania’s mining GDP of 2,317,959 TZS million (approx. 0.923 billion USD) in Q4 2024 places it among the top contributors to mining GDP in Africa, though direct comparisons are challenging due to varying currencies and reporting periods. Below is a comparative analysis with key African countries based on the provided data (converted to USD where possible for consistency, using approximate exchange rates as of May 2025):

• Nigeria: 1,039,318 NGN million (approx. 0.625 billion USD, at 1,665 NGN/USD). Despite Nigeria’s larger overall economy, its mining GDP is lower than Tanzania’s in USD terms, reflecting Tanzania’s stronger focus on mining.
• South Africa: 203,866 ZAR million (approx. 11.5 billion USD, at 17.7 ZAR/USD). South Africa, Africa’s top gold producer, significantly outpaces Tanzania due to its larger and more diversified mining sector (gold, platinum, coal).
• Egypt: 252,968 EGP million (approx. 5.1 billion USD, at 49.5 EGP/USD). Egypt’s mining sector, driven by phosphate and gold, exceeds Tanzania’s in USD terms but is less dominant in GDP share.
• Ghana: 6,579 GHS million (approx. 0.446 billion USD, at 14.75 GHS/USD). Ghana, Africa’s third-largest gold producer, has a lower mining GDP than Tanzania, highlighting Tanzania’s competitive position.
• Guinea: 42,871 GNF billion (approx. 4.9 billion USD, at 8,750 GNF/USD, Dec 2023 data). Guinea’s bauxite-driven mining sector surpasses Tanzania in value, but its data is outdated.
• Zambia: 4,264 ZMW million (approx. 0.165 billion USD, at 25.8 ZMW/USD). Zambia’s copper-focused mining sector contributes less to GDP than Tanzania’s in absolute terms.

Ranking in Africa: Tanzania ranks among the top five African countries in mining GDP contribution, likely behind South Africa, Egypt, and Guinea, but ahead of Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia in USD terms. Its 10.1% GDP share from mining in 2024 is notably high, compared to South Africa (approx. 7–8%) and Nigeria (less than 1%), underscoring mining’s critical role in Tanzania’s economy.

Tanzania’s Position in East Africa

In East Africa, Tanzania is a leader in mining GDP, surpassing regional peers:

• Kenya: 24,462 KES million (approx. 0.189 billion USD, at 129 KES/USD). Kenya’s mining sector is significantly smaller, focusing on soda ash and small-scale gold mining.
• Uganda: 835 UGX billion (approx. 0.226 billion USD, at 3,700 UGX/USD). Uganda’s mining sector, primarily artisanal gold and limestone, is far less developed than Tanzania’s.
• Mozambique: 34,809 MZN million (approx. 0.545 billion USD, at 63.9 MZN/USD). Mozambique’s mining GDP, driven by coal and gas, is lower than Tanzania’s, despite its larger natural gas potential.
• Rwanda: 50 RWF billion (approx. 0.037 billion USD, at 1,350 RWF/USD). Rwanda’s mining sector (tin, tungsten) is minimal compared to Tanzania’s.

East African Ranking: Tanzania is the top contributor to mining GDP in East Africa in Q4 2024, with a value nearly double that of Mozambique, the next closest competitor. Its 10.1% GDP share from mining far exceeds regional averages, where mining typically contributes 1–5% to GDP in countries like Kenya and Uganda. Tanzania’s leadership is further reinforced by its role in regional coal mining and its hosting of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, enhancing its extractive sector prominence.

Additional Context and Figures

• Tax Revenue: Mining tax revenue in Tanzania surged by 20.7% to TZS 753.82 billion (approx. USD 0.3 billion) in 2023/2024, with TZS 312.75 billion collected by October 2024 toward a TZS 1 trillion target for 2024/2025. This reflects improved regulatory enforcement and local content policies.
• Employment: The sector employed 310,000 Tanzanians in 2020 and created 19,356 jobs by March 2024 (97% for Tanzanians), boosting economic inclusivity.
• Export Earnings: Mineral exports reached USD 3.6 billion in 2020, with gold dominating, and total exports (including minerals) hit USD 16.1 billion in 2024, up 15.1% year-on-year.
• Future Potential: Tanzania’s focus on critical minerals (lithium, nickel, graphite) and projects like the Likong’o-Mchinga LNG plant (valued at USD 30 billion) position it for sustained growth.

Conclusion

Tanzania’s mining GDP of 2,317,959 TZS million in Q4 2024 underscores its robust growth, driven by gold, gemstones, and strategic reforms. In Africa, it ranks among the top five mining economies, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Guinea, but ahead of Nigeria and Ghana. In East Africa, Tanzania is the undisputed leader, with a mining GDP nearly double that of Mozambique and significantly higher than Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Its 10.1% GDP contribution from mining in 2024, coupled with rising tax revenues and export earnings, cements its position as a regional powerhouse, with potential for further growth in critical minerals and natural gas.

"Key Figures: Tanzania’s Mining Boom and Economic Development, 2008–2024"

Tanzania Metrics

Notes

• Exchange Rates (Approx., May 2025): TZS/USD = 2,510; ZAR/USD = 17.7; EGP/USD = 49.5; NGN/USD = 1,665; GHS/USD = 14.75; MZN/USD = 63.9; KES/USD = 129; UGX/USD = 3,700; RWF/USD = 1,350; ZMW/USD = 25.8.
• Tanzania’s Position: Ranks ~4th in Africa (behind South Africa, Egypt, Guinea); 1st in East Africa (ahead of Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda).
• Data Source: National Bureau of Statistics (Tanzania) for Tanzania data; other countries’ figures from provided dataset.

Tanzania’s food inflation rose to 5.4% in March 2025, a slight increase from 5.0% in February, but still remains below the country’s long-term average of 7.7% recorded between 2010 and 2025. This moderate inflation level reflects relative price stability in the country’s food sector despite global and regional challenges. Compared to its East African neighbors, Tanzania ranks 8th, performing better than Kenya (6.6%) and Ethiopia (11.9%), but trailing behind Uganda (2.0%) and Rwanda (3.5%). On a continental scale, Tanzania stands in the middle tier, significantly outperforming high-inflation countries like South Sudan (106%), Zimbabwe (105%), and Malawi (37.7%), indicating a relatively stable macroeconomic and food supply environment.

Tanzania Food Inflation: March 2025

• Current Rate: 5.4% (year-on-year)
• Previous Month: 5.0%
• Historical Average (2010–2025): 7.7%
• Historical High: 27.84% in Jan 2012
• Historical Low: 0.10% in Mar 2019

This shows that Tanzania’s food inflation is currently below its long-term average, suggesting moderate food price pressures compared to historical trends.

Tanzania in Africa (Ranking)

Tanzania ranks 18th out of 42 African countries listed in terms of food inflation (from highest to lowest), placing it in the mid-range.

• Countries like South Sudan (106%) and Zimbabwe (105%) have extremely high food inflation.
• Djibouti (-2.9%) and Somalia (-1.5%) are currently experiencing food deflation.

Tanzania in East Africa

Tanzania compares with selected East African countries:

Tanzania ranks 8th among East African countries based on current food inflation. It is lower than Kenya (6.6%), but higher than Uganda (2%) and Rwanda (3.5%).

Top 10 African Countries with Highest Food Inflation (Mar 2025)

These countries are facing severe food price pressures, likely due to economic instability, currency depreciation, or supply chain issues.

Summary Insights:

• Tanzania's food inflation of 5.4% is moderate by African standards.
• It is below regional giants like Kenya and Ethiopia, but above Uganda and Rwanda.
• Compared to Africa’s average, Tanzania sits in the middle tier for food inflation.

Tanzania’s food inflation (5.4% in March 2025) with several important things at national, regional, and continental levels:

1. National Insights (Tanzania)

• Moderate Pressure: Tanzania's food inflation is relatively moderate compared to its historical average of 7.7%.
• Stability Compared to History: It’s far below its peak in 2012 (27.84%) and shows price stability in recent months.
• Rising Trend: There is a slight increase from 5.0% in the previous month, suggesting growing food cost pressures—possibly due to seasonal factors, fuel prices, or currency trends.

2. Regional Comparison (East Africa)

• Tanzania ranks 8th in East Africa in terms of food inflation.
• Lower than Kenya (6.6%) and Ethiopia (11.9%), meaning Tanzania is managing food prices better than some key neighbors.
• Higher than Uganda (2%) and Rwanda (3.5%), which may indicate areas for improvement in food supply chains or agricultural productivity.
• Suggests Tanzania’s inflation is under control, but with room for better performance compared to top regional performers.

3. Continental Position (Africa)

• Tanzania ranks 18th out of 42 African countries in food inflation – putting it in the middle of the pack.
• It’s far better than countries in crisis like Zimbabwe (105%), South Sudan (106%), Malawi (37.7%), and Ghana (26.5%).
• Indicates relative economic and price stability compared to many African nations struggling with hyperinflation or conflict.

Overall Interpretation

• Tanzania is in a stable but cautious position.
• Food prices are increasing, but not alarmingly.
• Compared to peers in East Africa and Africa:
  • Tanzania is doing better than many.
  • But it can still learn from countries with lower inflation, like Uganda or Rwanda, in managing supply and price controls.