Tanzania’s exports of goods and services rose 16.4 percent to US$20.22 billion in the year ending August 2026, supported by strong performance from gold and manufactured products.
According to the Bank of Tanzania’s September economic review, gold remained the country’s leading export earner, generating US$5.63 billion during the period.
The increase highlights the continued importance of minerals to Tanzania’s foreign-exchange earnings, while stronger manufacturing exports point to growing activity in value-added production.
Private-sector credit also expanded during the period, growing by 33 percent, suggesting increased financing activity across the economy.
Gross official reserves reached US$5.89 billion, equivalent to about 4.2 months of import cover.
The stronger export performance comes alongside increased import costs, with Tanzania’s current-account deficit widening to US$2.48 billion.
For businesses, the export figures reinforce the importance of sectors capable of generating foreign exchange, particularly mining, manufacturing and other tradable industries.
The performance of manufactured exports is particularly significant for Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda because increased production and processing can allow the country to capture more value before products reach international markets.
The figures also come as the government continues to promote investment in manufacturing, mineral processing and agricultural value chains.
With exports continuing to expand, maintaining productive capacity, improving logistics and attracting investment into value-added industries will remain important to sustaining growth in Tanzania’s external trade.
