Tanzania External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Tanzania's external debt was $39.3B in 2025, ranked 36th globally. This represents a 8.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's external debt stood at $39.3B in 2025, a rise of +$2.9B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $39.3B by 2025. Tanzania ranked 36th globally.
Tanzania’s external debt has risen dramatically from a modest 197,359,339.60 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 39,264,994,087.00 in 2025, placing the country 36th globally. Over the 56‑year coverage period the debt stock expanded by more than 39 billion dollars, reflecting successive borrowing cycles to finance infrastructure, energy and social development projects. Compared with peers of similar rank, Tanzania’s debt level is slightly lower than Tunisia’s 40,686,672,330.32 but higher than Ghana’s 38,726,897,604.96, underscoring a regional pattern of rising external obligations among emerging economies. The steep upward trajectory, especially evident since the early 2000s, has been driven by increased access to international capital markets and multilateral financing. Continued fiscal consolidation, diversification of export earnings and prudent debt management will be essential to stabilise the debt trajectory and prevent a reversal of the long‑term accumulation trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $44.6B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $42.0B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $39.3B | - | - |
| 2025 | $39.3B | +$2.9B | #36 |
| 2024 | $36.3B | +$1.8B | #82 |
| 2023 | $34.6B | +$4.1B | #82 |
| 2022 | $30.4B | +$1.6B | #82 |
| 2021 | $28.8B | +$3.0B | #82 |
| 2020 | $25.8B | +$1.3B | #81 |
| 2019 | $24.5B | +$1.8B | #81 |
| 2018 | $22.6B | +$1.0B | #82 |
| 2017 | $21.6B | +$2.1B | #81 |
| 2016 | $19.5B | +$1.2B | #82 |
| 2015 | $18.3B | +$2.0B | #81 |
| 2014 | $16.4B | +$2.4B | #79 |
| 2013 | $14.0B | +$1.9B | #79 |
| 2012 | $12.1B | +$1.9B | #76 |
| 2011 | $10.1B | +$1.2B | #73 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's external debt was $39.3B in 2025. Ranked 36th globally. This represents a 8.0% increase from the previous year.
Tanzania's external debt peaked at $39.3B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Tanzania was $197.4M in 1970.
Tanzania ranks 36th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tanzania's external debt is projected to reach $39.3B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Tanzania's external debt was approximately 39.26 billion ($39.3B) in 2025.
The external debt of Tanzania in 2025 was $39.3B. This ranks 36th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_external-debt,
title = {Tanzania External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}