Tanzania: Liquidity In Banks Remain Adequate

By Prosper Makene [caption id="attachment_97158" align="alignnone" width="735"] Twin towers of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT)[/caption] Tanzania’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 6th June 2022 to assess the conduct of monetary policy in March and April 2022 said that liquidity in banks remained adequate and interbank interest rate stabilized at low levels, creating favourable environment for lending to private sector at affordable cost. The statement shared with  Pan African Visions from the Bank of Tanzania’s Governor said that the Committee was satisfied with the implementation of monetary policy and the outcome thereof. The MPC observed that since its last meeting in March 2022, the global economy continued to face challenges of rising inflation, high commodity prices, resurgence of COVID-19, and supply-chain disruptions caused by war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. The challenges have increased risks to the recovery of global and domestic economic activities. Domestic economic activity was satisfactory in 2021, growing at 4.9 percent compared with the target of 5 percent in Tanzania Mainland, and 5.1 percent in Zanzibar compared with the target 5.2 percent. Inflation was higher in 2021/22 than in the preceding year, due to rising commodity prices, especially oil and consumer goods. Money supply expanded in line with the target, bolstered by accommodative monetary policy and improving business conditions. Private sector credit growth was 13.4 percent, consistent with the target of at least 10.6 percent; and fiscal operations were on track, with revenue collection recovering consistent with economic activities and improved tax compliance. The external sector faced global challenges, but foreign exchange reserves remained adequate at around USD 5.5 billion. The exchange rate was stable, depreciating gradually by less than one percent, year-on-year. The MPC also took note of the passing of the Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022, in May, which permits residents of SADC countries, in addition to those in EAC, to participate in government securities. The Regulations also permit Tanzania residents to invest in SADC countries without seeking waiver from the Bank of Tanzania. This is expected to increase investor base and competition in government securities market. Based on the assessment of the current and future macroeconomic situation, the MPC approved the Bank of Tanzania to sustain accommodative monetary policy in May and June 2022, in order to continue safeguarding the recovery of economic activities. The decision is also based on the projected inflation within the target. The Bank will closely monitor the risks for inflation and recovery of the economy arising from high world commodity prices and take appropriate measures, including gradual reduction of monetary policy accommodation.