Moving to Tanzania: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

58,552,845

Population - note

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

2.82%

Urban Population

26.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

DAR ES SALAAM (capital) 3.588 million

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Age Structure

44.060000

Median Age

17.300000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

37

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.41

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

5.01

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

34.4%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

34.4%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

19.6

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.6

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-0.6

Ethnic Groups

mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab)

Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African

Nationality Noun

Tanzanian(s)

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Literacy - total population

69.4%

Literacy - male

85.9%

Literacy - female

70.7%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

9.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

60.760000

Infant Mortality Rate

45.100000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

45.100000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

460

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.01

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

.7

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.3%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

77.900000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

24.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

16.2%

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Economic Overview

• economy: Agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzania's economy, employing over 70% of the population and contributing around 30% of the country's GDP. The main crops grown in Tanzania include coffee, tea, cashews, cotton, tobacco, and various types of fruits and vegetables.
• Natural resources: Tanzania is rich in natural resources, including minerals such as gold, diamonds, and tanzanite, as well as natural gas and oil. These resources have the potential to drive economic growth in the country, but their exploitation is often controversial and can lead to environmental and social issues.
• Tourism: Tanzania is home to several popular tourist destinations, including the Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the beaches of Zanzibar. Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange earnings for Tanzania and provides employment opportunities for many people in the country.
• Manufacturing: Tanzania has a small manufacturing sector, with most factories located in or around the major cities. The main industries include food processing, textiles, and cement production.
• Infrastructure: Tanzania's infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped, with many roads, railways, and ports in need of investment and improvement. The government has identified infrastructure development as a key priority and has launched several initiatives to improve the country's transportation and energy networks. Foreign
• aid: Tanzania is heavily dependent on foreign aid, which accounts for around 40% of the government's budget. Aid comes from a variety of sources, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Industries

agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

6.9%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$152,790,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$3,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

6.9%

GDP - official exchange rate

$46,190,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 68% government
• consumption: 16.1% investment in fixed
• capital: 29.3% investment in
• inventories: -0.3% exports of goods and
• services: 18.7% imports of goods and
• services: -31.8%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

26.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

25.6%

GDP by Sector- services

47.3%

Industrial Growth Rate

7%

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Inflation Rate

7.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Currency Name and Code

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

13.6%

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Labor Force

21,860,000

Major Industries

agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer, salt

Agriculture Products

coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Population Below Poverty Line

36%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

2,815,085

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

21%

Child Labor - note

note: data represents children ages 5-17

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Labor Force By Occupation - industry and services

20%

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

80%

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Annual Budget

$4,263,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

5%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-5.6%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

22.3%

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Full Country Name

United Republic of Tanzania

Country Name

Tanzania

Local - Long

Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania

Local - Short

Tanzania

Former Name

German East Africa, Trust Territory of Tanganyika, Republic of Tanganyika, People's Republic of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Etymology- history of name

the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964

Independence

• 26 April 1964 (Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar)
• 29 October 1964 (renamed United Republic of Tanzania)
• notable earlier dates: 9 December 1961 (Tanganyika became independent from UK-administered UN trusteeship)
• 10 December 1963 (Zanzibar became independent from UK)

National Holiday

Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; note - progress enacting a new constitution drafted in 2014 by the Constituent Assembly has stalled
• amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles including those on sovereignty of the United Republic, the authorities and powers of the government, the president, the Assembly, and the High Court requires two-thirds majority vote of the mainland Assembly membership and of the Zanzibar House of Representatives membership; House of Representatives approval of other amendments is not required; amended several times, last in 2017

Legal System:

English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note - following the death of President John MAGUFULI in March 2021, then Vice President Samia Suluhu HASSAN assumed the presidency; Vice President Philip MPANGO (since 31 March 2021)
• head of government: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); Vice President Philip MPANGO; Prime Minister Kassim MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government business in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly
• elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president
• election results: 2020: John MAGUFULI reelected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 84.4%, Tundu LISSU (CHADEMA) 13%, other 2.6%; note - President MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021 and his Vice President, Samia Suluhu HASSAN, assumed the office of the President on 19 March 2021 2015: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%
• note: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; elections were held on 28 October 2020; Hussein MWINYI (CCM) 76.3%, Maalim Seif SHARIF (ACT-Wazalendo) 19.9%, other 3.8%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (393 seats; 264 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 113 women indirectly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms);
• Note: in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (82 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 20 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 1 seat for the House speaker, and 1 ex-officio seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term)
• Elections: Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives - last held on 28 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025)
• Election Results: - National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 350, Chadema 20, ACT-Wazalendo 4, CUF 3; composition as of February 2024 - men 246, women 147, percentage women 37.4% Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 69, ACT-Wazalendo 6, TADEA 1, other 1; composition as of February 2024 - men 48, women 29, percentage women 37.7%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 60, but terms can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
• subordinate courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts

Regions or States:

31 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Songwe, Tabora, Tanga

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alliance for Change and Transparency (Wazalendo) or ACT-Wazalendo [Zitto Zuberi KABWE]
• Civic United Front (Chama Cha Wananchi) or CUF [Ibrahim Haruna LIPUMBA]
• Party of Democracy and Development (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) or CHADEMA [Freeman Aikael MBOWE]
• Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) or CCM [Samia Suluhu HASSAN]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

• Dodoma
• note - Dodoma was designated the national capital in 1996
• Dar es Salaam, the original national capital, is the country's largest city and commercial center

Capital - geographic coordinate

6 48 S, 39 17 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• AU
• CD
• EAC
• EADB
• EITI
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• MONUSCO
• NAM
• OPCW
• SADC
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNIFIL
• UNISFA
• UNMISS
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Michael A. BATTLE Sr. (since 27 February 2023)
• Embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
• Mailing Address: 2140 Dar es Salaam Place, Washington, DC 20521-2140
• Telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000
• FAX: [255] (22) 229-4721
• Email: DRSACS@state.gov
• Website: https://tz.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Elsie Sia KANZA (since 1 December 2021)
• Chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
• Telephone: [1] (202) 884-1080
• FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408
• Email: ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org
• Website: https://us.tzembassy.go.tz/

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

6 00 S, 35 00 E

Total Area

365,753 Square Miles 947,300 Square Kilometers

Land Area

342,007 Square Miles 885,800 Square Kilometers

Water Area

23,745 Square Miles 61,500 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

2,399 Miles 3,861 Kilometers

Border Countries

Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Coastline

885 Miles 1,424 Kilometers

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Terrain

plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south

Highest Point

5,895 Meters

Highest Point Location

Kilimanjaro 5,895 m

Lowest Point Location

Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel

Irrigated Land

712 Square Miles 1,843 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

The coastal strip is tropical with high humidity; temperatures range from 80°F–95°F.

The country’s annual rainfall averages 65 inches.

The central plateau (altitude 3,000–4,000 feet; rainfall 2–30 inches), which covers much of the country, is hot and dry.

The semi-temperate highlands (up to 6,000 feet; rainfall 40–100 inches) are fertile and cool.

The islands of Zanzibar (rainfall 60-75 inches), 25 miles off the coast, are tropical and humid.

Tanzania has two rainy and two dry seasons.

During the long rains, from March through May, heavy downpours can occur daily (though it is not unusual to have as many as 2-3 days of sunny, pleasant weather between showers).

The short rains come in November and December.

Temperatures and humidity are high from November to April, and surface winds are moderate.

June through September is pleasant and generally mild.

Another weather phenomenon are the monsoon winds, or tradewinds, which blow in different directions during the year.

From April to November, the winds can be quite cool.

Terrain

plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique

Total Area

365,753 Square Miles 947,300 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Environment - Current Issues

• soil degradation
• deforestation
• desertification
• destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats
• recent droughts affected marginal agriculture
• wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$3,809,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$6,334,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton

Major Imports

consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil

Top Export Partners

UK 17.1%, France 16.2%, Japan 10.1%, India 6.7%, Netherlands 5.7%

Top Import Partners

South Africa 10.8%, Japan 7.9%, India 6.1%, UAE 5.5%, Kenya 5.4%, UK 5.4%, US 5.2%, China 4.5%, Australia 4.1%, Bahrain 4%

Export Partners

UK 17.1%, France 16.2%, Japan 10.1%, India 6.7%, Netherlands 5.7%

Import Partners

South Africa 10.8%, Japan 7.9%, India 6.1%, UAE 5.5%, Kenya 5.4%, UK 5.4%, US 5.2%, China 4.5%, Australia 4.1%, Bahrain 4%

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Country Description

Tanzania is a developing East African nation noted for its history of stability and astounding natural beauty.

A robust tourism industry provides all levels of tourist amenities, although higher-end facilities are concentrated mainly in the cities and selected game parks.

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the union of the mainland country of Tanganyika and the Zanzibar archipelago, which includes the islands of Unguja and Pemba.

Unguja is the much larger and populous of the two islands and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar.

The main city of Zanzibar is known as Stone Town.

Although part of the union government, Zanzibar has its own president, court system, and legislature, and exercises considerable autonomy.

The U.S.

Embassy is in Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, the location of most government offices, all embassies, and the commercial center of the country.

Safety & Security

Past terrorist incidents highlight the continued threat posed by terrorism in East Africa and underscore the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out such attacks against Westerners.

Although the lethal 1998 terrorist bombing of the U.S.

Embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi may seem remote, U.S. citizens should be aware of the ongoing risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets.

Avoid political rallies and public gatherings throughout Tanzania.

Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning, not only when riot police clash with demonstrators, but also when crowds gather.

This past year, the media has reported on several incidents which posed safety and security risks, including: a daytime rape of a U.S. citizen in northwestern Zanzibar; incidents of looting and burning of churches in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town; two shootings that targeted Catholic priests in Stone Town, one of which resulted in a death; an attack with an explosive device at a Catholic church opening in Arusha, resulting in seven deaths and several injuries; an incident during which incendiary devices were thrown at a Lutheran church in Dar es Salaam; a bomb threat at a Lutheran church in Dar es Salaam; an acid attack on two female tourists in Stone Town; a separate acid attack against a Muslim imam also in Zanzibar; a report of corrosives thrown at a Tanzanian businessman from a motorcycle in Dar es Salaam; demonstrations in Dar, Arusha, Stone Town, and Mtwara, some of which led to clashes between demonstrators and police, occasionally resulting in loss of property, injuries, and deaths; an explosive device tossed into a crowd gathered for an opposition political rally in Arusha resulting in three deaths and several injuries; an acid attack on a Catholic priest in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

This list of serious security incidents over the past twelve months underscores the importance for visitors and residents to be mindful of their safety, especially in public areas.

The population in Zanzibar is 98 percent Muslim and generally holds traditional values.

The U.S.

Embassy has learned of women being harassed for dressing immodestly in public.

U.S. citizens are advised to dress modestly (upper arms and legs covered, no exposed midriffs) outside of their hotel or resort and when arriving and departing the island, and to keep a low profile in public.

The incidence of criminal and violent activity continues to rise.

Travelers should exercise caution at all times.

During the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours, avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum in public except in hotels or restaurants.

Traveling alone, even during the day, may pose risks.

U.S.

Embassy officials are required to request police escorts on segments of the Rusomo-Kahama road border near the Rwandan border because of armed bandit attacks.

Inter-city transportation between major destinations, such as Arusha and Dar es Salaam, is serviced by various carriers that offer differing levels of safety and comfort.

U.S. citizens who travel by bus are urged to select carriers with modern equipment and avoid riding in vehicles that are in obvious disrepair.

U.

S. citizens report being robbed on long-distance buses in Tanzania after accepting apparently drug-laced food and drink offered to them by other passengers.

Secure your belongings and passport if you disembark for a short break en route to your destination.

Road travel in Tanzania is extremely dangerous, especially at night.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to use taxis or hire a driver from a reputable source for transportation.

Do not ride in a cab hailed for you by someone you do not know well.

Ask the hotel or restaurant to recommend a driver.

U.S. citizens have been victims of robberies when using taxis in Dar es Salaam.

A common scenario involves the driver picking up another passenger who then threatens and robs the victim, forcing the person to make a series of ATM withdrawals until re

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Crime

• Assaults: Pedestrians on deserted or crowded beaches, footpaths, and roads are often targeted by criminals. This is especially true on Zanzibar, in Dar es Salaam, and Arusha. Though group travel does not guarantee your safety, you should avoid traveling alone. Avoid carrying a bag, wearing flashy jewelry, or using or displaying electronics while walking in public. If you must carry a bag, hold it by the handle loosely so you can let go quickly and not be injured if someone grabs it. Do not put the strap across your chest as you can be badly injured if someone snatches the bag. Limit the amount of cash you carry to what is needed for that specific activity. Secure valuables, such as passports, jewelry, and airline tickets, in a hotel safe or other secure location. Carefully guard your camera and phone. Credit cards should only be used in reputable tourist hotels. Whereas long-term residents used to note a seasonal spike in crime (December - January), reports of robbery and violent assault now occur year-round. ATM/Bank
• Fraud: Tanzania is primarily a cash economy. Some major hotels accept credit cards, but this is uncommon even in larger urban areas. Using a credit or debit card can make you vulnerable to fraud. There have been numerous recent reports of U.S. citizens becoming victims of fraud through use of debit or credit cards. Exercise caution when using ATM, debit, and credit cards in Tanzania and leave the area if you believe you are being watched. Avoid using standalone ATMs; use only ATMs that are attached to a bank. Monitor your account balance regularly and immediately report unusual activity. Debit cards should be avoided if possible, as your account can be emptied overnight and you have no recourse to dispute the transaction as is possible with credit cards. There have been reports of ATMs retaining cards and accounts being emptied in addition to the apparent use of skimming devices on ATMs targeting U.S. dollar denominated bank accounts. You should bring sufficient cash or traveler’s checks for your trip if you will be spending time outside of the large cities. Reputable financial institutions will require the bearer of a traveler’s check to present the original receipt for the checks and proof of identity before completing a transaction. Home
• Invasions: U.S. citizens residing in Arusha and Dar

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Tanzania, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

If you break local laws in Tanzania, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Persons violating Tanzania's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Keep a photocopy of your U.S. passport on you at all times.

If you are detained, immediately contact the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities are limited and medicines are sometimes unavailable, even in Dar es Salaam.

There are hospitals and clinics on Zanzibar capable of treating minor ailments.

Serious ailments require returning to Dar es Salaam or travel to Nairobi or South Africa for treatment.

If you are climbing Mt.

Kilimanjaro, the Tanzanian capacity for emergency medical response is extremely limited and you may need to descend the mountain on your own to get help.

For any significant medical problem in Dar es Salaam, travelers should travel to Nairobi or South Africa where more advanced medical care is available.

U.S. citizens are advised to travel with a sufficient supply of prescription medication to last for the duration of the trip.

Pharmacies (known as "duka la dawa") may carry recognizable brands, but the supply and quality are inconsistent.

Tap water in Tanzania is unsafe to drink.

Travelers are strongly urged to use bottled water for drinking and food preparation.

Be careful when consuming raw foods as they may not have been properly refrigerated and handled, and they may harbor unsafe bacteria.

Cholera is prevalent in many areas of Tanzania, and several strains of malaria are endemic.

Anti-malarial medication is strongly advised.

Use insect repellents and mosquito nets to help to reduce the risk of malaria.

Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention as soon as possible.

Tell your doctor about your travel history and describe the medication you have been taking.

For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC travel health web site.

Schistosomiasis (or, bilharzia) is a disease endemic in Africa and caused by parasitic worms hosted by fresh-water snails.

Avoid swimming, bathing, or wading in fresh-water lakes and streams.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Tanzania.

The HIV infection rate in the general population is 5.1 percent.

The infection rate is considerably higher among sex workers and their clients, intravenous drug users, and men who have sex with men.

Data indicates that injection drug use, specifically heroin, is on the rise in urban areas of Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Studies carried out in Dar es Salaam indicate that HIV prevalence is 42% among people who inject drugs (2007) and 31.4% among sex workers (2010), while unpublished data for men who have sex with men in Dar es Salaam indicates a prevalence over 30% (2012).

Travelers should be aware of the related health and legal risks associated with the commercial sex industry.

East African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is carried by the tse-tse fly, which is endemic to the northern safari circuit of Tanzania.

The disease itself is very rare but present.

Travelers are advised to use normal precautions to avoid insect bites.

Avoid wearing dark colors which attract the insect.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential if there is an infection.

If symptoms appear, even months later, health care practitioners should be told of the visit to East Africa and the possibility of exposure.

Traffic Safety

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Tanzania is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road and traffic conditions in Tanzania differ markedly from those found in the United States and present hazards that require drivers to exercise continual alertness and caution.

Traffic in Tanzania moves on the left.

Drivers and pedestrians alike must maintain vigilance, looking both ways before turning or crossing a road.

Drivers are advised against nighttime travel.

Roadways are often not marked and many lack both streetlights and shoulders.

Pedestrians, cyclists, and animals are often encountered on unlit roads after dark, as are slow-moving trucks and cars traveling without lights.

Carjacking and other related crimes are more common during the nighttime hours.

Traveling in rural areas after dark is strongly discouraged.

Remain cautious and alert when stopping for red lights at night, but be very careful proceeding through intersections as other cars may also be reluctant to stop.

Always keep your doors and windows locked and valuables stored out of sight.

Although a number of inter-city highways are periodically repaved and maintained, maintenance schedules are erratic and even good roads may deteriorate precipitously in periods of inclement weather.

During the rainy season (late March to mid-June), many roads in Tanzania, both urban and rural, are passable only with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

In urban areas, it is common to find main arterial roads paved and maintained, while secondary streets are severely rutted and passable only with high-clearance vehicles.

Traffic lights are often out of order, and care should be exercised at any traffic intersection, whether controlled or not, as many drivers disregard signals.

Excessive speed, unpredictable driving habits, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles pose serious traffic hazards.

Tanzanian law requires all motor vehicle operators to be in possession of a valid driver’s license.

Persons staying in Tanzania for six months or less may use a valid U.S. driver’s license after validation by local traffic authorities, or an international driver’s license.

Persons intending to remain in Tanzania for more than six months are required to obtain a Tanzanian driver’s license.

All vehicles are required to carry third-party liability insurance and to post the decal in the front window.

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Airports - total

166

Airports with Paved Runways

10

Railways

2,292 Miles 3,689 Kilometers

Roadways- total

53,731 Miles 86,472 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

4,407 Miles 7,092 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar

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Pipelines: Gas

193 Miles 311 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

554 Miles 891 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

5 Miles 8 Kilometers

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Telephones

173,552

Cell Phones

9,358,000

Internet Users

400,000

Internet Country Code

.tz

Internet Hosts

24,182

Broadcast Media

• a state-owned TV station and multiple privately owned TV stations
• state-owned national radio station supplemented by more than 40 privately owned radio stations
• transmissions of several international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: telecommunications services are marginal; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; small aperture terminal (VSAT) system under construction
• domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and in 2011 exceeded a subscriber base of 50 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital
• international: country code - 255; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

3,182,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

200,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,680,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

780,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

8,600,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

6,513,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

43,310

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Anthem History

• adopted 1961
• the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia but has different lyrics
• the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

Anthem Lyrics

• Chorus: Ibariki Afrika Ibariki Afrika Tubariki watoto wa Afrika. 2. Mungu ibariki Tanzania Dumisha uhuru na Umoja Wake kwa Waume na Watoto Mungu Ibariki Tanzania na watu wake.
• Chorus: Ibariki Tanzania Ibariki Tanzania Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania.

Anthem Lyrics English

• Chorus: Bless Africa, Bless Africa, Bless the children of Africa. 2. God Bless Tanzania. Grant eternal Freedom and Unity To its sons and daughters. God Bless Tanzania and its People.
• Chorus: Bless Tanzania, Bless Tanzania, Bless the children of Tanzania.