A Review of Import Structure and Reforms in Tanzania
A Review of Import Structure and Reforms in Tanzania

Summary/Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the structure and performance of imports in Tanzania. It takes into consideration the effects of the country’s historical trade policy reforms and other determinants over the period 1995-2014. During this period, the country established bilateral trade agreements with African and non-African countries and regional groups. At a global level, the country imports predominantly from Asian countries. In Africa, South Africa is the main import source for Tanzania. Tanzania’s imports are dominated by manufactured goods accounting for more than 60% of the total imports from the world, while capital goods account for less than 20%. Over this period, the country had been recording trade deficits with virtually all its trade partners, this is attributable to trade creation and diversion effects of its current preferential trade agreements, lack of suitable infrastructure and shift on the type of products that the country imports.

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