Tanzania: Key Amendments to the Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022
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Bulletin 17 août 2026 17 août 2026
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Afrique
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Réformes réglementaires
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Finances
On 17th July 2026, the Bank of Tanzania published the Foreign Exchange (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, Government Notice No. 206 of 2026 (the Amendment Regulations).
The Amendment Regulations are made under section 7(1) of the Foreign Exchange Act, Chapter 271 Revised Edition 2023 and amend the Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022, Government Notice No. 294 of 2022 (the Principal Regulations).
The Amendment Regulations broaden the definition of “direct investment”, introduce a new definition of “securities”, liberalise the framework governing the purchase, sale and transfer of securities by non-residents, and revise various compliance timelines and reporting obligations applicable to exporters, importers, banks and financial institutions.
In this legal update, we discuss the key changes introduced by the Amendment Regulations.
By way of summary:
| Topic | Key change |
|---|---|
| Investment definitions | The definition of direct investment is broadened to distinguish inbound and outbound investment, and a broad definition of securities is introduced. |
| Non-resident securities dealings | Regulation 20 is replaced with a general permission for non-residents to purchase, sell or transfer securities in Tanzania in line with the Principal Regulations. |
| Export proceeds | Exporters now have clearer five-day timelines for explaining delayed export proceeds and any shortfall or excess in export proceeds. |
| Import transactions | Importers are now subject to similar five-day reporting requirements for delayed imports and for goods received at a lower or higher value than stated in the import documents. |
| Prescribed forms | The Schedule to the Principle Regulations has been replaced and now includes Forms A to D, including new import-related forms. |
Updated Investment and Securities definitions
Direct investment
The definition of direct investment now expressly covers both inbound investment by a non-resident into Tanzania and outbound investment by a resident outside Tanzania. For outbound investment, the definition refers to ownership of 10% or more of voting power or equivalent interest or otherwise exercising control or a significant degree of influence over management. It also includes equity capital, reinvested earnings and debt instruments between affiliated enterprises where a direct investment relationship exists.
Securities
A new definition of securities has been introduced. It covers financial instruments representing a claim, right or interest in an issuer, including shares, bonds, notes, government loan instruments, interests in collective investment schemes, derivatives, options, warrants, futures and related instruments.
Liberalisation of non-resident securities transactions
Regulation 20 has been replaced with a broader provision permitting a non-resident to purchase, sell or transfer securities in Tanzania in accordance with the Principal Regulations. Read together with the new definition of securities, this is a notable liberalisation of the framework for non-resident participation in Tanzanian securities transactions.
Export proceeds: revised timelines and shortfall/excess reporting
Banks and financial institutions may request relevant export documentation after completion of customs export procedures.
Where receipt of export proceeds is delayed beyond 90 days, the exporter must provide reasons for the delay and the expected time of realisation to the relevant bank or financial institution within five days, using the prescribed Form A.
Where export proceeds received are lower or higher than the value stated in the relevant documents, the bank or financial institution must require the exporter to provide written reasons using the prescribed Form B, and the exporter must provide those reasons within five days.
Import transactions: new import reporting forms and timelines
Where goods paid for from Tanzania have not been, or will not be, consigned to Tanzania within 90 days from payment, the importer must provide reasons for the delay and the expected time of realisation within five days from expiry of the 90-day period, using the prescribed Form C.
The bank or financial institution must consider the importer's reasons for extension of time within five working days of receiving the information.
If an importer receives goods with a value that is lower or higher than the value stated in the relevant import documents, the importer must provide written reasons for the shortfall or excess to the relevant bank or financial institution within five days of receipt, using the prescribed Form D.
Practical implications
- Exporters and importers should update internal processes to capture the new five-day notification requirements and ensure supporting documents are available promptly.
- Banks and financial institutions should update customer-facing instructions and regulatory reporting templates to reflect the amended timelines and the updated prescribed Forms A to D.
- Non-resident investors should reassess existing assumptions on the scope of permissible securities transactions in Tanzania under the amended Regulation 20.
Conclusion
The Amendment Regulations introduce several targeted but significant changes to Tanzania’s foreign exchange framework. The main points are the broadened investment and securities definitions, the more liberal treatment of non-resident securities transactions, and the revised export and import compliance timelines and forms.
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