Ban on using foreign currencies for payments in Tanzania

Hi,

This is new—just announced!:

The Tanzanian government has recently implemented a new regulation banning the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions. The Bank of Tanzania issued a notice requiring all local payments to be made exclusively in Tanzanian shillings (TZS).

More info:

https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/0505-128083-tanzanie-interdiction-de-lusage-des-devises-etrangeres-dans-les-transactions-locales

https://partir.ouest-france.fr/magazine/it-is-now-impossible-to-pay-in-foreign-currency-in-tanzania/

...

https://partir.ouest-france.fr/magazine/il-nest-maintenant-plus-possible-de-payer-en-devises-etrangere-en-tanzanie/ ...

And watch out for those who might try to bypass the rule, as fines are in place if you don’t follow it.

Tanzanian police are going to love having even more power! ;) And they still accept all currencies when it comes to paying the "fine"!

Hello,

This is new—just came out!:

The Tanzanian government recently implemented a new regulation banning the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions. The Bank of Tanzania issued a notice requiring all local payments to be made exclusively in Tanzanian shillings (TZS).

More info:

https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/0505-128083-tanzanie-interdiction-de-lusage-des-devises-etrangeres-dans-les-transactions-locales

https://partir.ouest-france.fr/magazine/it-is-now-impossible-to-pay-in-foreign-currency-in-tanzania/

...

Seems normal to me to pay in the local currency anywhere!

I think it’s normal to pay in the local currency anywhere...

I completely agree with you, but since this hasn’t always been the case over the years, it’s worth pointing out to forum members—just like some media outlets have done for their readers.

What’s even more surprising and "contradictory" is that the visa and mandatory insurance for Zanzibar have to be paid to various Tanzanian and Zanzibari government services... in US $ 😉 🤪

Africa is unpredictable.

Best regards.

...

Can't we pay for the visa and insurance in shillings?

Can’t you pay for the visa and insurance in shillings?

Has anyone managed to get Tz-Shillings at a currency exchange office in France?

Anyway, the Tanzanian online visa system ONLY accepts US $ as the payment currency...!! And for visas on arrival, they ask for a $50 bill (well, "used to" ask a year ago).

(Unless I’m mistaken, of course)

...

Personally, I paid for this visa in euros eleven years ago

Can’t we pay for the visa and insurance in shillings?

Personally, I paid for this visa in euros eleven years ago

But so... not in Tanzanian Shillings....!!

Actually, it’s either in US $ or euros. (In 2024, I even paid "by mistake" for my wife’s visa in $ and mine in euros on the website, and it went through without any issues.)

Cheers

...

And on arrival? Can we still pay in shillings, right?

And on arrival? Can we pay in shillings or not?

- First, you go through Passport Control at the border before you can access the exchange bureaus or the ATM in the arrival terminal... Never seen anyone pay in Tanzanian Shillings in seven trips.!!!

- And for getting Tanzanian Shillings in Europe/France, I’m still waiting for someone to tell me how to do it...

- Excerpt from the French Embassy in Tanzania’s travel advice:

"Only US dollars issued after 2006 are accepted for visa fees upon entry into Tanzania. Tourist visa = 50 € or 50 USD (no change given). Business visa = 250 € or 250 USD. For more details, it’s recommended to check the Tanzanian Immigration website."

...

I get it, except that not everyone comes from France... you might arrive from a neighboring country and already have shillings with you, and in many countries, you have the choice of currency to pay with, and it’s always cheaper in local currency... Since they said they’ve banned payments in $, I thought that would also apply to the visa and insurance... personally, I never carry $ with me—it’s euros or local currency. Anyway, paying in $ seems restrictive.

except that not everyone comes from France... Anyway, paying in $ seems restrictive

- Tanzania is a free and sovereign country (in its decisions, even if they aren’t always logical...).

- Since this forum is in French, the original post was obviously aimed at our fellow French travelers planning to visit Tanzania.

Best regards.

...

hi, thanks for the links to the articles. However, it’s a mistake in economic policy—Tanzania receiving more US dollars and euros actually lowers the cost of imports on large volumes.

Just so you know, the requirement to use only the Tanzanian shilling for all on-site payments has been amended following negotiations with industry professionals, and it no longer applies to bill payments in the tourism sector, which can still be made in foreign currencies (mainly the US dollar).

Hi there, and THANKS for the info.

I also got confirmation from my usual provider in Mombasa. That’s one less worry. Hopefully, the blacklist issue with airlines will be resolved just as quickly!! ... much less so for that.

"Pole-pole"

Hello,

RIU has not made any advance charges to your card. The hotel needs your information to guarantee your reservation in case of cancellation after the deadline or no-show. Once confirmed, payment is made directly at reception, upon arrival or departure depending on the hotel. You can pay in cash or by credit card. Payment will be made in the country's local currency at the exchange rate in effect on the day of your arrival, as stipulated by the central bank of the destination. For legal compliance, cash payments are subject to limits specified in RIU.com's General Terms and Conditions. We recommend making a pre-payment for your reservation to avoid currency fluctuations. Please note that when making your reservation or request, some banks may charge a fee of 1 euro, dollar, Mexican peso, or pound sterling to your account. Even if it appears on your statement, this fee is not real; it is only for technical reasons and will disappear within the next 7 days. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Riu Jambo hotel offers the option to pay for your stay upon arrival. Very interesting option! Based on the passages highlighted in bold below, will we have to pay in TZS or USD? It seems like it’s not the hotel that decides. Also, is there a BIG risk of the shilling depreciating between now and August 2026? 🏴‍☠️

Thanks in advance for your insights!