Bank of Tanzania

What Bank of Tanzania does

The Bank of Tanzania is the central bank and monetary authority of the United Republic of Tanzania, established on June 14, 1966 under the Bank of Tanzania Act No. 12 of 1965 and operating today under the Bank of Tanzania Act 2006. It executes the standard central banking mandate: maintaining price stability with a medium-term inflation target of within 5%, supervising 62 licensed banks and financial institutions, issuing national currency, managing foreign exchange reserves, and serving as banker and fiscal agent to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Governance rests with a 10-member Board of Directors chaired by the Governor, currently Emmanuel M. Tutuba (in office since January 2023), supported by three Deputy Governors covering Economics and Policy, Financial Sector Stability and Supervision, and Administration and Internal Control. The Bank is headquartered in Dodoma with a Head Office Sub-Branch in Dar es Salaam and regional branches in Zanzibar, Mwanza, Mtwara, Mbeya, and Arusha, plus a dedicated training institution, the Bank of Tanzania Academy in Mwanza.

The Bank's core technology infrastructure is its National Payment Systems stack, governed by the National Payment Systems Act 2015 and comprising TISS (real-time gross settlement via SWIFT), TACH (cheque clearing and electronic funds transfer using ISO 20022 messaging and image-based cheque truncation), EAPS (cross-border instant payments linking Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania via SWIFT), and SADC RTGS (regional settlement in South African Rand with six Tanzanian banks connected). It is developing TIPS, the Tanzania Instant Payment System, to enable real-time interoperability between banks and mobile network operators. Supervisory technology centers on the CAMELS framework (Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity, Sensitivity) for risk-based supervision. The Bank runs a Fintech Regulatory Sandbox that admitted NEDA Labs to pilot the nTZS Shilling-pegged stablecoin in May 2026, and is finalizing a comprehensive cryptocurrency and stablecoin regulatory framework. Currency is distributed through 6 Bank branches and 8 safe custody centers hosted by commercial banks.

As a sovereign monetary authority rather than a commercial enterprise, the Bank does not generate revenue from product or service sales; it operates as a public institution funded through sovereign appropriations, seigniorage, and reserve investment income. Its customer and stakeholder base spans the Government of Tanzania, 35 commercial banks, 2 development finance institutions, 5 microfinance banks, mortgage and leasing companies, community banks, 174 bureau de change entities, fintech firms operating in the sandbox, and the Tanzanian citizenry using Tanzanian Shilling currency. Channels to these stakeholders include the official website (bot.go.tz), official social media, regular press releases, financial education programs integrated into the national education system, financial consumer protection alerts, and physical branch and safe custody infrastructure. The Bank celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2026.

Name

Bank of Tanzania

Legal name

Bank of Tanzania

Website

https://bot.go.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Bank of Tanzania is the central bank and monetary authority of Tanzania, established in 1966, that sets monetary policy, issues the Tanzanian Shilling, supervises 62 licensed banks and financial institutions, and operates national payment systems including TISS, TACH, EAPS, SADC RTGS, and the developing TIPS instant payment platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Central Banking

NAICS

Monetary Authorities-Central Bank (52111), Monetary Authorities-Central Bank (521), Monetary Authorities-Central Bank (5211)

SIC

Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Treasury & Cash Management (BPAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Government Accounting & Financial Reporting (BPAIAEAD), Treasury Operations Support (Cash Management, Bank Reconciliations, Payments Ops) (BPAAAGAH), National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC)

Keywords

• Central banking
• Monetary policy
• Financial supervision
• National payment systems
• Currency issuance

Headquarters

HQ city

Dodoma

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bank of Tanzania is the central bank and monetary authority of the United Republic of Tanzania, operating under the Bank of Tanzania Act 2006. It provides monetary policy implementation, exclusive currency issuance, banking supervision of 62 licensed institutions, national payment systems (TISS, TACH, EAPS, SADC RTGS, TIPS), and financial inclusion programs. The Bank serves as banker and fiscal agent to the Government of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

Product overview

Bank of Tanzania operates as the central bank providing a comprehensive suite of financial infrastructure and regulatory services. The core product portfolio centers on national payment systems including TISS (real-time settlement), TACH (cheque clearing), and EAPS (regional cross-border payments). The bank maintains a fintech regulatory sandbox for testing innovations including the nTZS stablecoin pilot. Additional services include currency issuance, banking supervision, financial inclusion programs, and credit guarantee schemes (ECGS and SME-CGS) for exporters and small businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tanzania Interbank Settlement System (TISS) Real-time gross settlement system using SWIFT network that enables immediate interbank payments, government payments, tax collections, and securities market transactions. Used by licensed banks and financial institutions for interbank settlement.
• Tanzania Automated Clearing House (TACH) Electronic cheque and funds transfer system using ISO 20022 messaging standard and image-based cheque truncation technology for cheque clearing and electronic payments. Used by banks and financial institutions.
• East Africa Payment System (EAPS) Cross-border payment system enabling instant payments between East African Community member countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) by connecting national payment systems via SWIFT.
• SADC RTGS Southern African Development Community Real-Time Gross Settlement system enabling cross-border payments between SADC member countries using South African Rand currency, with six Tanzanian banks currently participating in the system.
• Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS) Unified instant payment system under development to enable real-time money transfers between different financial service providers including banks and mobile network operators, enhancing financial inclusion through interoperability.
• FinTech Regulatory Sandbox Regulatory sandbox environment for testing financial technology innovations under controlled conditions before full market deployment, managed by Bank of Tanzania. The Bank of Tanzania approved NEDA Labs to test the nTZS Tanzanian Shilling-pegged stablecoin within this framework.
• nTZS Stablecoin Sandbox Pilot Tanzanian Shilling-pegged stablecoin being tested in the central bank's regulatory sandbox. Must be fully backed 1:1 by Tanzanian Shillings held in a ring-fenced account. Developed by NEDA Labs but operated under BoT regulatory supervision.
• Financial Inclusion Programs National financial inclusion initiatives including the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028, aiming to expand access to formal financial services across Tanzania. Financial inclusion reached 89% access and 76% usage as of 2023.
• Export Credit Guarantee Scheme (ECGS) Credit guarantee program established July 2002 to help exporters with viable projects but lacking collateral access financing from banks and financial institutions.
• SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (SME-CGS) Credit guarantee scheme established September 2005 to enable small and medium enterprises with viable projects but lacking collateral to access financing from banks and financial institutions.
• Currency Issuance and Management Exclusive right to issue banknotes and coins in Tanzania, managing currency circulation, processing worn notes, and issuing commemorative coins. Operated through 6 BoT branches and 8 safe custody centers.
• Banking Supervision Services Licensing, regulation, and supervision of banks, financial institutions, microfinance banks, community banks, and bureau de change to ensure financial sector stability. Covers 62 licensed banks and financial institutions and 174 bureau de change.
• Digital Lending Platform Oversight Registry of approved and unapproved digital lending platforms to protect consumers from unlicensed digital lenders operating in Tanzania.

Quantifiable outcome

• Inflation maintained at 4.0% as of June 2026, within the medium-term target band of 5%
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026The Global Center on Adaptation collaborated with CGAP, CGIAR, FSD Africa, and Pegasys to conduct market analyses demonstrating that climate adaptation technologies and services in Tanzania are bankable investment opportunities for commercial banks. The Tanzania reports were launched during an online webinar in collaboration with the Bank of Tanzania and Financial Sector Deepening Tanzania.
• NEDA LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2024The Bank of Tanzania approved NEDA Labs to test the nTZS Tanzanian Shilling-pegged stablecoin within the central bank's fintech regulatory sandbox framework. The 3-month pilot assesses the issuance, transfer, and redemption of the nTZS tokenized stablecoin under controlled regulatory supervision, with the requirement that it remains fully backed 1:1 by Tanzanian Shilling-denominated reserves held in a ring-fenced account.
• CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the Global Center on Adaptation, CGIAR, FSD Africa, and Pegasys on market analyses for climate adaptation investment in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and DRC, identifying a substantial financing gap with Africa requiring $70 billion annually by 2030 for adaptation.
• CGIARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GCA, CGAP, FSD Africa, and Pegasys on climate adaptation market analyses in Tanzania and other African countries, contributing research and expertise on agricultural adaptation technologies.
• FSD AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on climate adaptation investment market analyses in Tanzania as part of a partnership with GCA, CGAP, and CGIAR, contributing financial sector expertise for Sub-Saharan African markets.
• PegasysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GCA, CGAP, CGIAR, and FSD Africa to conduct market analyses demonstrating that climate adaptation technologies in Tanzania are bankable investment opportunities for commercial banks.
• Financial Sector Deepening Tanzania (FSDT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the launch of Tanzania climate adaptation investment reports with the Bank of Tanzania and the Global Center on Adaptation, working to deepen Tanzania's financial sector.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IMF completed its sixth and seventh reviews under the Extended Credit Facility and third and fourth reviews under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, unlocking approximately US$443.9 million in financing for Tanzania while confirming macroeconomic stability has been restored after four years of reforms. The IMF projects Tanzania's economy to grow by 6.2% in 2026.
• National Bureau of StatisticsminorOthersRelated link on the Bank of Tanzania website for economic statistics and data coordination between the central bank and national statistics office.
• East African Community (EAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bank of Tanzania participates in the EAC through the East Africa Payment System (EAPS), which facilitates instant cross-border payments among EAC member states (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) by connecting their respective national payment systems (KEPSS, TISS, UNIS, RIPPS) via SWIFT.
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bank of Tanzania participates in the SADC RTGS system enabling cross-border payments among SADC member states using South African Rand, with six Tanzanian banks currently participating in the system.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Bank of Botswana: SADC member central bank with strong reserve management practices. Comparable currency and supervisory mandate but operates primarily within Botswana's domestic market.

Direct peers

• Central Bank of Kenya: Kenya's central bank and BoT's principal EAC counterpart. Operates an analogous mandate across monetary policy, currency issuance, banking supervision, and operates KEPSS, which is linked to TISS via EAPS for cross-border settlement.
• Bank of Uganda: Uganda's central bank and fellow EAC founder. Comparable size, mandate, and regional integration depth; its UNIS system is connected to TISS via EAPS for instant cross-border payments.
• National Bank of Rwanda: Rwanda's central bank and EAC partner. Its RIPPS system links to TISS via EAPS; comparable mandate around monetary policy, financial inclusion, and payment system modernization.
• Bank of Ghana: Ghana's central bank with a broadly similar emerging-market African mandate covering monetary policy, banking supervision, payment systems, and active fintech/digital asset policy development.
• Reserve Bank of Malawi: Smaller neighboring Sub-Saharan African central bank with similar mandate around monetary policy, banking supervision, and payment systems, useful as a size-comparable peer.

Broad incumbents

• Central Bank of Nigeria: Largest African central bank by balance sheet, with a broader mandate and active digital asset/eNaira initiatives. Comparable supervisory and payment system functions but at materially greater scale than BoT.
• South African Reserve Bank: Africa's most established central bank, operator of SARB and SADC RTGS infrastructure that BoT participates in via six Tanzanian banks. Functions as BoT's broader incumbent peer in regional settlement.
• Bank of England: Established reference central bank with analogous functions in monetary policy, financial stability, and payment system oversight, including a fintech sandbox that parallels BoT's framework.
• Federal Reserve: U.S. central bank and global benchmark for monetary policy, supervision, and payment system design. Useful reference peer for BoT's policy framework, though operating scale and mandate differ materially.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCML8A0jRIu8csMXjEI8o-ZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BankOfTanzaniaOfficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/bankoftanzania_
• Xx.com/BankOfTanzania

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bank of Tanzania