Government unveils mandatory travel insurance plan

The Tanzanian Government has unveiled a plan to introduce a mandatory travel insurance fee for all foreign visitors entering the country, reports the The Eastleigh Voice. Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, in a notice dated 4 July, said visitors would be required to pay $44 (approximately 115 000 Tanzanian shillings) for the insurance package. ‘The purpose of this insurance is to cover medical emergency, loss of luggage and emergency medical evacuation or repatriation,’ said Nchemba. Although the proposal has been made public, implementation will begin only after the necessary regulations are officially gazetted. Addressing Parliament on 26 June, Nchemba clarified that the rollout of the policy has been pushed to January to allow further engagement with relevant stakeholders and to fine-tune the plan. This move is intended to ease the transition and ensure that all operational and legal frameworks are properly aligned. The proposed scheme mirrors a similar arrangement that Zanzibar introduced in October 2024. However, concerns have emerged regarding potential double charges for tourists visiting both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar under separate insurance systems. Stakeholders argue that this could confuse visitors and affect the image of Tanzania as a unified tourism destination. Citizens of countries under the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community will not be subject to the insurance fee, as they are exempted under the policy. Tanzania continues to position itself as a top tourist destination in the region, attracting millions to its wildlife reserves, coastal resorts, and cultural landmarks. The government believes the new insurance policy will boost visitor confidence by offering protection during their stay.