Tanzania

Today almost six in 10 adults (56%) in Tanzania are financially included, almost all through mobile money accounts (55%). Tanzania has a predominantly rural population, which makes access to financial services a challenge and digital solutions ideal. Sixty-six percent of the population resides in rural areas, and FII data shows that less than one-third (29%) of the rural population have active accounts (used in the last 90 days), whereas urbanites are twice as likely to have active accounts (61%). Approximately 77% of Tanzania’s adults live on less than $2.50 per day, with three-quarters of Tanzanians employed in the agriculture sector, according to World Bank data. In 2017, financial inclusion in Tanzania shows persistent gender, locality and income gaps; a smaller proportion of adults in the female, rural and below-poverty demographics are financially included compared to the male, urban and above-poverty groups. Making gains among these groups is key to improving Tanzanians’ financial lives.