Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu, assured citizens on Wednesday that the country is in good economic shape, in contrast to some neighbours whom she did not name.
Speaking during an International Women’s Day rally on Wednesday, March 8, Suluhu said the Tanzanian economy is more stable in the entire East Africa region.
“My brothers and sisters, I want to tell you that Tanzania is doing well economically. In the entire East Africa region, we are better than other countries, let nobody lie to you. Right now, every country is complaining of dollar shortages while we have enough to last us four months,” said Suluhu.
She stated that Tanzania has received requests from neighbours facing dollar shortages to guarantee their crude oil imports.
“Go to our neighbours, they do not have even a two-week supply. We are getting requests to guarantee their oil supplies but we have just been pretending that the situation is bad for us as well,” said the first female president of Kenya’s southern neighbour.
“We are doing well and our economy will be even stronger if we stay united.”
Kenya is one of the countries currently experiencing a severe shortage of US dollars, which has been attributed to external debt repayment pressures.
The demand for forex has recently skyrocketed as importers seek more dollars as global prices for fuel, food, cooking oil, and steel, among other commodities, have risen.
