In June 2025, Tanzania’s government securities market demonstrated strong investor confidence, with TZS 1.23 trillion in bids received for Treasury bonds—nearly double the TZS 638.7 billion on offer—indicating a 93% oversubscription rate. The BoT selectively accepted TZS 322.4 billion to manage borrowing costs, with yields of 14.50% for 20-year bonds and 14.80% for 25-year bonds, reflecting inflation expectations and long-term risk premiums. Notably, no Treasury bills were issued, signaling the government’s strong cash position and preference for long-term financing. Meanwhile, the interbank cash market (IBCM) remained active and stable, with TZS 2.87 trillion in transactions—up 125% year-on-year—and a marginally lower average rate of 7.93%, indicating healthy liquidity and effective monetary policy transmission by the BoT.

Government Securities Market and the Interbank Cash Market June

1. Government Securities Market

The Government Securities Market in Tanzania serves as a cornerstone for domestic financing, allowing the government to raise funds for budgetary needs while providing investors with secure, long-term investment opportunities. The market primarily consists of Treasury bonds (long-term securities) and Treasury bills (short-term securities). In June 2025, the market dynamics reflected strategic fiscal management and strong investor confidence.

Treasury Bonds

Treasury bonds are long-term debt instruments issued by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) on behalf of the government to finance fiscal deficits and infrastructure projects. The bonds are typically offered with maturities ranging from 2 to 25 years, and their yields are influenced by market demand, inflation expectations, and monetary policy conditions.

• June 2025 Auctions:
  • The BoT conducted auctions for 20-year and 25-year Treasury bonds, reflecting a focus on long-term financing to support infrastructure and development projects under the FY 2024/25 budget.
  • Total tenders received: TZS 1,232.9 billion, indicating robust investor interest.
  • Accepted bids: TZS 322.4 billion, showing selective acceptance to manage borrowing costs and align with fiscal targets.
  • Amount offered: TZS 638.7 billion, meaning the auctions were oversubscribed (tenders exceeded the offered amount by approximately 93%). This oversubscription highlights strong investor confidence in Tanzania’s fiscal stability and the attractiveness of long-term government securities.
  • Yields:
    • 20-year bond: 14.50%, reflecting a competitive return for long-term investors amid prevailing economic conditions.
    • 25-year bond: 14.80%, slightly higher due to the longer maturity and associated risks, such as inflation and interest rate volatility over an extended period.
• Context and Insights:
  • The high oversubscription rate suggests that institutional investors, such as pension funds, insurance companies, and commercial banks, view Treasury bonds as safe and lucrative investments. This is likely driven by Tanzania’s stable macroeconomic environment and the BoT’s credible monetary policy framework.
  • The yields (14.50% for 20-year and 14.80% for 25-year bonds) are elevated compared to shorter-term securities, reflecting the term premium demanded by investors for locking in funds over extended periods. These yields also align with Tanzania’s inflation trends and the BoT’s efforts to balance borrowing costs with investor expectations.
  • The focus on long-term bonds indicates a strategic shift toward financing projects with longer gestation periods, such as infrastructure development, which is critical for Tanzania’s economic growth targets under its Development Vision 2025.

Treasury Bills

Treasury bills are short-term securities (typically with maturities of 35, 91, 182, or 364 days) used to manage short-term liquidity needs of the government. Unlike Treasury bonds, no auctions for Treasury bills were held in June 2025.

• Reason for No Auctions:
  • The domestic financing requirement for FY 2024/25 had already been met by June 2025, likely due to successful bond auctions earlier in the fiscal year and prudent fiscal management.
  • This absence reflects confidence in the government’s cash flow position, reducing the need for short-term borrowing. It also suggests that the government prioritized long-term financing through bonds to avoid frequent rollovers associated with short-term bills.
• Context and Insights:
  • The lack of Treasury bill auctions could indicate that the government met its short-term financing needs through other sources, such as revenue collection or external financing (e.g., concessional loans or grants).
  • By avoiding short-term borrowing, the BoT may be aiming to reduce refinancing risks and stabilize the yield curve, focusing on longer-term securities to lock in funding at predictable rates.

2. Interbank Cash Market (IBCM)

The Interbank Cash Market (IBCM) is a critical component of Tanzania’s financial system, enabling banks to lend and borrow short-term funds to manage liquidity. It supports monetary policy transmission by ensuring banks have access to liquidity, which influences credit availability and economic activity.

Transactions

• Turnover in June 2025: TZS 2,873.9 billion, a significant volume but lower than TZS 3,267 billion in May 2025 (a decrease of approximately 12%). However, it was substantially higher than TZS 1,277.6 billion in June 2024 (a year-on-year increase of 125%).
• Dominant Trades:
  • Overnight placements: Accounted for 37.3% of total volume, reflecting banks’ preference for ultra-short-term liquidity management to meet immediate cash flow needs.
  • 7-day tenors: Contributed 26.5% of total volume, indicating demand for slightly longer liquidity buffers, likely to manage weekly operational cycles.
• Context and Insights:
  • The high turnover (TZS 2,873.9 billion) underscores a vibrant interbank market, where banks actively manage liquidity surpluses and deficits. The year-on-year increase from June 2024 suggests growing confidence in the banking sector and increased economic activity.
  • The slight decline from May 2025 could be attributed to seasonal factors, such as reduced liquidity needs at the end of the fiscal year, or banks adjusting their portfolios after meeting reserve requirements.
  • The dominance of overnight and 7-day tenors reflects a cautious approach by banks, prioritizing flexibility in a dynamic economic environment. These short tenors are typical in markets with stable but fluctuating liquidity conditions.

Interest Rates

• Overall IBCM rate:
  • June 2025: 7.93%
  • May 2025: 7.98%
• The marginal decline (0.05 percentage points) indicates a stable liquidity environment, with banks able to access funds at slightly lower costs.
• Context and Insights:
  • The IBCM interest rate is influenced by the BoT’s monetary policy stance, particularly the Central Bank Rate (CBR), which was likely maintained at a level to ensure price stability and support economic growth.
  • The slight decline in the IBCM rate suggests adequate liquidity in the banking system, reducing competition for interbank funds. This aligns with the BoT’s efforts to maintain a balanced monetary policy, ensuring liquidity without triggering inflationary pressures.
  • The rate of 7.93% is relatively low compared to Treasury bond yields (14.50%–14.80%), reflecting the lower risk and shorter duration of interbank transactions compared to long-term government securities.

Summary Table

Insights and Broader Implications

1. Robust Demand for Government Securities:
   • The oversubscription of Treasury bond auctions (TZS 1,232.9 billion in tenders vs. TZS 638.7 billion offered) reflects strong investor confidence in Tanzania’s fiscal and monetary policy framework. This demand is likely driven by institutional investors seeking stable, high-yield assets amid global economic uncertainties.
   • The high yields (14.50% for 20-year and 14.80% for 25-year bonds) indicate that investors are pricing in inflation risks and long-term uncertainties, but the oversubscription suggests these yields are competitive compared to alternative investments.
2. Fiscal Prudence in Treasury Bill Strategy:
   • The absence of Treasury bill auctions in June 2025 signals that the government has effectively managed its short-term financing needs, possibly through higher-than-expected revenue collection or earlier borrowing. This reduces rollover risks and borrowing costs, contributing to fiscal sustainability.
   • The focus on long-term bonds aligns with Tanzania’s development agenda, prioritizing investments in infrastructure and other capital-intensive projects.
3. Healthy Interbank Market:
   • The IBCM’s high turnover (TZS 2,873.9 billion) and stable interest rates (7.93%) indicate a well-functioning banking system with adequate liquidity. The dominance of overnight and 7-day tenors suggests banks are managing liquidity efficiently, balancing short-term needs with operational flexibility.
   • The slight decline in IBCM rates from May to June 2025 reflects a stable monetary environment, supported by the BoT’s effective liquidity management tools, such as open market operations and reserve requirements.
4. Monetary Policy Transmission:
   • The active IBCM and stable interest rates facilitate the transmission of the BoT’s monetary policy, ensuring that changes in the policy rate (e.g., CBR) influence lending and borrowing behavior across the economy.
   • The high turnover in the IBCM compared to June 2024 (125% increase) suggests growing economic activity and banking sector confidence, which supports credit creation and private sector growth.
5. Economic Context:
   • Tanzania’s financial markets are operating in a context of steady economic growth, with the BoT projecting GDP growth of around 5.5%–6% for 2025, driven by sectors like agriculture, mining, and infrastructure.
   • Inflation remains a key consideration, with the BoT targeting a range of 3%–5%. The high bond yields and stable IBCM rates suggest that inflationary pressures are manageable but warrant close monitoring.