Prime
Health insurance coverage hits 37 percent as sector eyes 3 percent GDP contribution
Commissioner for Insurance, Dr Baghayo Saqware.
What you need to know:
- The insurance sector now contributes 2.0 percent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from less than one in the past, with the goal of reaching 3 percent by 2030 as set out in the Financial Sector Development Master Plan (2020–2030)
Dar es Salaam. The number of Tanzanians covered by health insurance has reached 37 percent, signalling steady progress in expanding financial and health inclusion, the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (Tira) has said.
Tira also reported that the insurance sector now contributes 2.0 percent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from less than one in the past, with the goal of reaching 3 percent by 2030 as set out in the Financial Sector Development Master Plan (2020–2030).
Speaking at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) on Tuesday, July 8, the Commissioner for Insurance, Dr Baghayo Saqware, attributed the growth to expanded insurance services and key initiatives like the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme.
“We are on the right track. With UHI and other services being rolled out, we are confident of meeting the government’s targets,” he said.
The Master Plan also aims for at least 50 percent of Tanzanian adults to have some form of insurance cover by 2030. Dr Saqware said insurance penetration currently stands at 15 percent and is rising, buoyed by policy reforms and increased investor interest.
“Investors are expanding their operations due to strong returns, and the business environment is more favourable than ever,” he said.
The phased rollout of the UHI programme involves both public and private sector partners, with an emphasis on rural access.
Dr Saqware noted that digital tools are central to the success of the scheme, as mobile phone penetration enables wider reach.
“We are registering insurance agents countrywide to facilitate UHI distribution, especially in remote villages,” he added.
According to Tira, the number of insurance providers rose from 993 in 2021 to 2,208 in 2024, a 122.4 percent increase in four years, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 22.1 percent.
This year’s DITF, which runs from June 28 to July 13, was officially opened by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi on Sunday and will close under the officiating of Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
During the opening, President Mwinyi also launched the ‘Made in Tanzania’ brand logo to promote high-quality, locally produced goods in both domestic and international markets.
He urged Tanzanians to embrace locally made products as a show of commercial patriotism and a boost to national economic growth.
