Tanzania’s Tourism Overtakes Gold as Country’s Top Foreign Exchange Earner
Tanzania’s tourism industry has achieved a historic milestone, officially surpassing gold as the nation’s leading source of foreign exchange — a shift that highlights the sector’s rising influence on the country’s economic trajectory.
According to a recent report by the Tanzania News Company, tourism generated an impressive $3.92 billion in the 12 months ending May 2025, outpacing gold exports which stood at $3.83 billion during the same period. The figures, sourced from the Bank of Tanzania’s Monthly Economic Review, signal a significant leap from the $3.63 billion recorded in tourism earnings the year before.
The rise is largely driven by increased international tourist arrivals, which climbed to 2,170,360 visitors, up from 1,961,870 the previous year. Tourism now accounts for over 55% of all service-related foreign receipts, underscoring its strategic importance to the national economy.
In a bold policy move designed to sustain and accelerate this growth, the Bank of Tanzania announced a regulatory shift on 8 July 2025, granting tour operators exemptions from select foreign exchange rules. The new policy allows companies to use foreign currency for two essential functions: paying for services on behalf of non-resident tourists and purchasing specialist tourism vehicles from domestic suppliers.
Industry leaders have welcomed the move, calling it a game-changer that supports operational efficiency while keeping Tanzania globally competitive. Analysts suggest the decision reflects a smart balancing act — easing currency controls where it matters most, without undermining broader fiscal discipline.
As the country solidifies its reputation as a premier African destination, this economic milestone affirms tourism’s vital role in Tanzania’s development narrative — not only as a cultural and environmental asset but now also as its single most valuable export sector.
