Market Overview

Tanzania returned to strong 7% GDP growth in 2010, helped by consistent stable macroeconomic policies. Inflation declined below the double digits of 2009, though increased again in early 2011 due to growing fuel and food prices. Exports performed particularly well in 2010; gold alone brought in 1.4 billion US dollars, overtaking the tourism sector which contributed 1.3 billion US dollars. Also, in 2010 the industrial sector contributed significantly to foreign earnings for the first time, generating $900 million. The agricultural sector -- the mainstay of the country's economy employing about 80% of the population -- contributed 480 million US dollars. Transit goods earnings contributed 380 million USD. Tanzania's 2010 GDP per capita reached 600 USD, doubling from 300 USD in 2006.

Tanzania's main trading partners are the EU, China, India and neighboring Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) countries. Tanzania's exports to the U.S. are dominated by agricultural commodities, minerals, and textiles while imports from the US include wheat, agricultural / transport equipment, chemicals, used clothes and machinery.

Basic economic statistics (2009/2010 figures):

• GDP: USD 20.49 billion
• Real GDP Growth rate: 7 percent
• GDP per capita: USD 600
• Inflation: 6.6 percent as of February 2011
• Total Exports: USD 2925.8 million
• Total Imports: USD 5834.1 million
• Exports to the United States of America: USD 49.3 million
• Imports from the United States of America: USD 154 million
• Mean Exchange Rate: Tsh 1,470 per USD
• Population Total: 41.8 million people

For more information please visit:

Tanzania - Country Commercial Guide 2011 (PDF 664 KB)

Additional resources:

• Country Background Notes
• Country Commercial Guide, including Investment Climate Statement
• Country Commercial Guide, 2011 (PDF 664 KB)
• Consular Information Sheet
• Tanzanian Public Tenders Available