BoT Grants Defined Foreign Exchange Exemption for Tanzania’s Tourism Sector
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) is proud to announce a major policy breakthrough for the country’s tourism industry. Following extensive lobbying, engagement, and formal requests, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has granted a defined exemption for the tourism sector under the Foreign Exchange Use Regulations (GN No. 198 of 2025) a landmark achievement and a huge relief for stakeholders in the sector.
This success is the direct result of a formal letter submitted by TATO to the Governor of the Bank of Tanzania on 2nd May 2025, with reference number T-26/06/60, titled: “RE: Request for defined exemption of tourism sector on the application of foreign exchange use regulations – GN. No. 198 of 2025.”
This significant milestone is the result of persistent advocacy by TATO, which has consistently raised concerns over the impact of strict foreign exchange regulations on the operations and sustainability of tourism businesses in Tanzania. The regulations, originally enacted under the Bank of Tanzania Act, limited the use of foreign currency in domestic transactions, creating operational challenges for tour operators dealing with non-resident clients who primarily transact in USD and other foreign currencies.