Tanzania Mobile Money Levy Impact Assessment

This report analyses the impact of the levy on mobile money transactions in Tanzania introduced in 2021, based on unique data from mobile money operators.

Mobile money is a key driver of socio-economic growth by creating employment, driving business productivity, facilitating savings and facilitating investment, contributing to formalising the economy, and providing stability during economic downturns. It is a main driver of financial inclusion, contributing directly to Tanzania’s economic growth and social development objectives.

The enablement impact of mobile money services has seen the percentage of Tanzanian citizens using formal financial services increase from 16% to 65% between 2009 and 2017, to 76% in 2023.

Uptake has been largely driven by mobile money services, with adoption going from 60% of the population in 2017 to 72% in 2023. As of December 2022, Tanzania had over 40 million mobile money accounts relying on a network of agents managing transactions across rural and urban areas