Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Ltd

| Economic Research Centre

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) achieved significant milestones in tax collection during the 2024/25 fiscal year (July 2024 – June 2025), reflecting enhanced administrative efficiency, taxpayer compliance, and technological advancements.

Key Highlights

Monthly Collection Breakdown (FY 2024/25)

Month2023/24 Collection (TZS Trillion)2024/25 Target (TZS Trillion)2024/25 Actual (TZS Trillion)Performance (%)Growth (%)
July1.942.252.35104.5%21.1%
August2.012.302.42105.5%20.4%
September2.622.883.02104.7%15.0%
October2.152.472.65107.4%23.6%
November2.142.422.50103.4%16.6%
December3.053.463.58103.3%17.3%
January2.122.382.42101.7%13.8%
February2.022.262.27100.2%12.2%
March2.492.792.84101.9%14.2%
April1.972.222.27102.1%15.3%
May2.222.442.53103.8%14.1%
June2.913.193.42107.4%17.5%
TOTAL27.6431.0532.26103.9%16.7%

Revenue Forecast for FY 2025/26

The TRA has set a target of TZS 36.066 trillion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, reflecting an anticipated growth of 11.8% from 2024/25. This ambitious target is supported by:

Projected Monthly Targets for 2025/26

MonthProjected Target (TZS Trillion)Projected Growth Rate (%)
July2.558.5%
August2.659.5%
September3.309.3%
October2.909.4%
November2.7510.0%
December4.0011.7%
January2.7011.6%
February2.5010.1%
March3.109.2%
April2.5010.1%
May2.8512.7%
June3.9014.0%
TOTAL36.0711.8%

Implications for Tanzania’s Economic Development (2025/26 Budget)

The TRA’s strong revenue performance in 2024/25 and the optimistic forecast for 2025/26 are critical for funding Tanzania’s TZS 56.49 trillion budget for 2025/26, which aims to achieve 6% GDP growth and aligns with the Third Five-Year National Development Plan (2021/22–2025/26) and Vision 2025. Below are the key implications for economic development:

1. Strengthened Fiscal Capacity

2. Support for Flagship Infrastructure Projects

The TRA’s revenue surplus supports the completion of strategic projects outlined in the 2025/26 budget, including:

These projects drive industrial capacity, competitiveness, and job creation, aligning with the budget’s theme of “Inclusive Economic Transformation through Strengthening Domestic Revenue Mobilization.”

3. Economic Growth and Job Creation

4. Social and Human Capital Development

5. Digital and Technological Advancements

6. Challenges and Risks

Conclusion

The TRA’s exceptional performance in 2024/25, with a record-breaking TZS 32.26 trillion collected, underscores Tanzania’s progress in domestic revenue mobilization. The forecasted TZS 36.066 trillion for 2025/26 will play a pivotal role in funding the TZS 56.49 trillion budget, supporting infrastructure, industrialization, and social development. By reducing reliance on external financing and fostering inclusive growth, Tanzania is poised to achieve its 6% GDP growth target and advance toward Vision 2050. However, addressing challenges like the narrow tax base and global economic uncertainties will be critical to sustaining this trajectory.

In just nine months of the 2024/25 fiscal year, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has collected TZS 24.05 trillion, marking a 17% increase compared to TZS 20.55 trillion collected during the same period in 2023/24. With projections showing total annual collections could exceed TZS 32 trillion, TRA’s performance now rivals the country’s reliance on external development financing — which typically stands at TZS 7–8 trillion annually from loans and grants. This growth signals that domestic revenue can progressively become a sustainable source for financing development projects, reducing dependence on foreign aid.

Revenue Collection Performance – January to March 2025 (Q3, FY 2024/25)

TRA exceeded the target by TZS 0.10 trillion (100 billion).

Cumulative Revenue – July 2024 to March 2025 (First 9 months)

This is the highest ever 9-month collection in TRA’s history.

Historical Growth Comparison

This highlights the impact of reforms since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office.

Key Drivers of Improved Revenue Collection

1. Leadership Directives

2. Internal Improvements at TRA

3. Government Reforms and Environment

Focus for April – June 2025 (Q4)

Tanzania’s revenue performance and how the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has improved in collecting taxes.

1. Strong Revenue Growth

TRA is not only meeting but exceeding its targets.

2. Better Efficiency and Reforms Are Working

It shows that management reforms are paying off.

3. Business and Government Relationship is Improving

4. Taxpayer Engagement is Crucial

5. Tanzania is Building a Stronger Economy

🔑 In Simple Terms:

This report shows that Tanzania is collecting more tax than ever before, because:

Key Revenue Collection Figures – TRA Report (March 2025)

DescriptionAmount (TZS Trillion)Performance / %Remarks
Q3 Revenue (Jan–Mar 2025)7.53101.32%Target was TZS 7.43T
Q3 Revenue (Jan–Mar 2024)6.63Growth of 13.47% YoY
Revenue (Jul 2024–Mar 2025) (9 months)24.05103.62%Target was TZS 23.21T
Revenue (Jul 2023–Mar 2024) (9 months)20.55Growth of 17.01% YoY
Revenue (Jul 2020–Mar 2021) (4 years ago)13.5977% increase over 4 years
Exceeded Q3 Target By0.10Equivalent to TZS 100 billion
System ImprovementsTANCIS (Customs), IDRAS (Domestic), EFD enforcement
Extra Service HoursWeekends + Thursday “Taxpayer Listening Day”

Could Tax Collections Alone Power Tanzania’s Development Projects?

Current Performance Shows Great Potential

From this report:

🧮 Estimation: If Q4 (Apr–Jun) brings another ~TZS 8 trillion → Annual Total = 24.05T + ~8T = ~TZS 32T

📉 Tanzania’s 2023/24 Budget Financing Gap (Aid + Loans)

According to past budgets:

🧾 So the financing gap Tanzania usually covers with aid/loans = ~TZS 7.2–8 trillion per year

🧠 What This Means

TRA already:

If TRA can sustain and increase revenue growth:

📌 Key Considerations

FactorImpact
📈 Continued Revenue GrowthWith 17% YoY growth, TRA could reach TZS 40T+ annually in the next 2–3 years
💸 Domestic Funding StabilityReduces reliance on external conditions tied to aid or loan agreements
🛠️ Improved Project OwnershipLocal funding = more control and sustainability of development projects
💬 Taxpayer Trust & Voluntary ComplianceMust increase to keep revenue growing sustainably
⚠️ Risk: Economic SlowdownsTax collections may dip if business activity slows

Conclusion

Yes, TRA has the potential to replace or reduce Tanzania’s dependence on aid and loans, especially if:

If Tanzania can fully fund development through its own taxes, it becomes more independent and self-reliant.

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