TANZANIA · INSURANCE
Key Facts
- —The country Tanzania is an East African country on the Indian Ocean, known for gold, gas, tourism and the port of Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan leads it.
- —What happened On Friday 16 October, Tanzania’s insurance regulator launched its 2025 market report in Dodoma, the capital, and published the results on Sunday 18 October.
- —The premiums Tanzania insurance premiums rose to 2.55 trillion Tanzanian shillings (about US$966 million) in 2025 from 1.52 trillion shillings (about US$576 million) in 2024.
- —Assets and output Sector assets reached 4.06 trillion shillings (about US$1.54 billion), and insurance now makes up 2.8% of national output, up from 1.8%.
- —Who is covered The regulator counts 26.8 million policyholders and beneficiaries for 2025, up from 25.9 million a year earlier.
- —Fastest growth Business written grew 44% in general insurance, 38.6% in health insurance and 14% in life insurance.
- —Still open What drove a rise of about 68% in one year, and when the planned National Insurance Policy will be finished.
Tanzania insurance premiums reached 2.55 trillion Tanzanian shillings (about US$966 million) in 2025, the country’s insurance regulator reported. A year earlier they stood at 1.52 trillion shillings (about US$576 million).
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), which licenses and supervises insurers, launched its 2025 market report in Dodoma on Friday 16 October. For US investors and travellers, it is an official look at a small but fast-growing insurance market.
What the Insurance Regulator Reported
TIRA said Tanzania insurance premiums rose to 2.55 trillion shillings (about US$966 million) from 1.52 trillion shillings (about US$576 million). Premiums are the money customers pay insurers for cover, and the rise works out at about 68% in one year.
Sector assets grew from 2.14 trillion shillings (about US$811 million) to 4.06 trillion shillings (about US$1.54 billion). Investments rose from 1.41 trillion shillings (about US$534 million) to 2.24 trillion shillings (about US$849 million).
Net capital held by insurers climbed from 697.4 billion shillings (about US$264 million) to 1.89 trillion shillings (about US$716 million). Insurance now accounts for 2.8% of Tanzania’s national output, up from 1.8%, TIRA said.
Health and General Cover Lead the Growth
General insurance, which covers motor, property and similar risks, grew by 44% in 2025, according to the TIRA report. Health insurance business rose 38.6% and life insurance 14%.
Reinsurance, which is cover that insurers buy from other insurers, and Takaful cover run under Islamic rules grew by only 0.3%. Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar said in August that all households should join universal health insurance by 2028/29, the Daily News reported.
Who Is Covered and Who Works in Insurance
The number of policyholders and beneficiaries rose from 25.9 million in 2024 to 26.8 million in 2025, a gain of about 3.5%. Of the total, 8.7 million are policyholders and 18.1 million are beneficiaries, people covered under someone else’s policy.
Formal jobs in the insurance industry grew from 3,000 to 6,434 over five years, TIRA said. That is a rise of 114.5%.
What Happens Next for the Sector
TIRA said it aims to finish the National Insurance Policy and to improve the laws and rules that govern the sector. It ties the work to Tanzania Development Vision 2050, the government’s long-term growth plan.
Deputy Finance Minister Mshamu Ali Munde, the guest of honour in Dodoma, praised TIRA for supervising and developing the sector. Commissioner of Insurance Baghayo Saqware, who leads TIRA, said the sector has kept growing and adding to the national economy.
What It Means for US Readers
For US investors, Tanzania insurance premiums of about US$966 million describe a small market that is growing fast. Insurance at 2.8% of national output leaves plenty of room to expand, though it also shows how thin cover still is.
For American travellers and residents, a growing health insurance base matters because Tanzania is building compulsory cover and separate rules for visitors. Our guide to healthcare in Tanzania explains the rules, and Tanzania Explained gives the wider economic picture.
What Is Not Known
TIRA has not said what drove Tanzania insurance premiums up by about 68% in one year, or how much came from health schemes. Claims paid and insurer profits for 2025 were not part of the figures released on Sunday 18 October.
No date has been given for finishing the National Insurance Policy. TIRA has also not said which laws it will change first.
More: Tanzania news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the insurance market in Tanzania?
Tanzania insurance premiums reached 2.55 trillion Tanzanian shillings (about US$966 million) in 2025, according to the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority. Insurance made up 2.8% of national output.
What is TIRA?
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority is the state body that licenses and supervises insurers in Tanzania. Its Commissioner of Insurance is Baghayo Saqware.
Which types of insurance grew fastest in 2025?
Business written in general insurance grew 44% and in health insurance 38.6%, according to TIRA. Life insurance business grew 14%.
How many people have insurance cover in Tanzania?
TIRA counts 26.8 million policyholders and beneficiaries for 2025, up from 25.9 million in 2024. Of them, 8.7 million hold policies and 18.1 million are covered as beneficiaries.
What does TIRA plan to do next?
TIRA says it will finish the National Insurance Policy and improve the laws and rules for the sector. It links the work to Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Sources: Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), 18 October 2026; Daily News (Tanzania), 27 August 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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