Tanzania eases FX rules to allow all foreigners to buy government debt

Tanzania has relaxed its foreign exchange rules to allow all overseas investors to buy government-issued Treasury bills and bonds, the central bank said.

The bank said in a statement on Thursday that the move was aimed at deepening domestic financial markets and promoting Tanzania as an investment destination.

Previously, only residents of the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the Tanzanian diaspora could participate in the government securities market.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration is looking for new revenue sources amid cuts in aid from international partners.

Hassan won a disputed election last year, which opponents say she rigged and was marred by unrest over the exclusion of her main challengers.

Hassan, in office since 2021, has rejected criticism of her human rights record and defended the fairness of the election.

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