Tanzanian Shilling Buying Power: Value of TSh 100–10 000 & What You Can Afford (2025 Guide)

Tanzania’s shilling isn’t just paper and coins—it’s a window into daily life. From a brightly‑colored 100‑shilling coin to a 10 000‑shilling bill featuring an African elephant, every denomination tells a story about what Tanzanians can buy and the way they pay for goods. This guide uses the latest cost‑of‑living data (October 2025) and real user experiences to explain the value of the shilling. It follows an inverted‑pyramid structure: the most important information appears at the top and details and context follow.

Quick summary

• The shilling’s denominations: Coins of 50 and 100 shillings circulate alongside notes of 1 000, 2 000, 5 000 and 10 000. The newest series (issued in 2011) adds a holographic security thread to 2 000, 5 000 and 10 000 notestanzania-safaris.com. Each note has distinctive colors and wildlife imagery.
• Exchange rate: As of November 2024 the shilling traded around 1 USD ≈ 2 650 TZStanzania-safaris.com. The rate fluctuates slightly but is close to this figure in late 2025.
• Cost of everyday goods: A liter of petrol costs about TSh 2 827 while a basic lunch in Dar es Salaam costs TSh 15 241expatistan.comexpatistan.com. A cappuccino costs TSh 5 488 and a kilogram of tomatoes costs TSh 3 441expatistan.comexpatistan.com. These figures anchor our analysis of purchasing power.
• Cash vs digital payments: Mobile‑money adoption has exploded, with subscriptions growing from 32 million in 2020 to about 61.9 million in 2024ticgl.com. Users appreciate the ability to “pay, transact, borrow and invest” all from their phonescommsrisk.com. However, cash remains essential for small informal businesses and tippingtanzania-safaris.com.

In the following sections each denomination is examined in detail with images, descriptions, and examples of what you can and cannot buy. A later section discusses how Tanzanians balance cash and mobile money, including quotes from public officials, industry leaders and travelers.

The Tanzanian shilling at a glance

A brief history and design

The Bank of Tanzania introduced the shilling on 14 June 1966 to replace the East African shillingtanzania-safaris.com. The currency is subdivided into 100 cents and coins are minted in denominations of 50 to 500 shillingstanzania-safaris.com. Coins are rarely used, however, because inflation has eroded their valuetanzania-safaris.com.

The 2011 series of banknotes remains current. It consists of 500, 1 000, 2 000, 5 000 and 10 000 shilling notestanzania-safaris.com. In 2020 the Bank of Tanzania added a ‘windowed’ holographic security thread to the 2 000, 5 000 and 10 000 notes, visible as four thin vertical rectanglestanzania-safaris.com. Each denomination features an animal native to Tanzania and a scene of national significance:

• 1 000 TZS: Blue; portrait of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s independence leader and first presidenttanzania-safaris.com. Reverse side shows the presidential residence in Dar es Salaamtanzania-safaris.com.
• 2 000 TZS: Ochre‑orange; a male lion in front of Mt Kilimanjaro and the word “elfu mbili” (two thousand)tanzania-safaris.com. The back depicts an old fort in Zanzibartanzania-safaris.com.
• 5 000 TZS: Violet; rhinoceros head above “elfu tano”tanzania-safaris.com. The reverse shows a gold mine in Geitatanzania-safaris.com.
• 10 000 TZS: Red; front shows an African elephant with the words “elfu kumi”tanzania-safaris.com. The back depicts two tower buildings that house the Bank of Tanzaniatanzania-safaris.com.

Because inflation eroded the purchasing power of smaller notes, 500 shilling notes are rarely used, though they remain legal tendertanzania-safaris.com.

Why understanding denomination values matters

Tanzania is largely a cash‑based economy. Even as mobile-money services such as M‑Pesa, Airtel Money, HaloPesa and Tigo Pesa expand, most informal businesses, markets and street vendors still prefer physical shillingstanzania-safaris.com. Understanding what each denomination can buy is therefore crucial for travelers and residents alike. Additionally, knowing what a note cannot buy helps you plan larger purchases or anticipate when to break larger bills. The sections below pair each denomination with current price data to illustrate its real‑world value.

TSh 100 – Smallest banknote and a symbol of scarcity

Description and design

The 100‑shilling note is the lowest denomination banknote still in circulation. This tiny bill is green and features a portrait of the first president, Julius Nyerere, on the front. The back shows the Azania Front Lutheran Church in Dar es Salaam. Because its value is extremely low, most transactions round to 200 or 500 TZS, and coins of 100 TZS are more common in urban areas.

What you can afford with TSh 100

In 2025, TSh 100 is worth approximately $0.038 USD. Its purchasing power is extremely limited. You can use it for:

• A single plastic shopping bag or small sachet of salt. Many markets sell small sachets of table salt or spice for 100–200 TZS.
• A few minutes of parking in some municipalities.
• Tipping rest‑room attendants in markets or bus stations.

What you cannot buy

• Public transport: A dala‑dala (minibus) ride or city bus fare in Dar es Salaam costs around TSh 500–1 000 depending on the route, so 100 shillings won’t cover the fare.
• Bread or milk: A loaf of bread costs around TSh 1 514 and one liter of milk costs TSh 2 939expatistan.com.
• Mobile phone air‑time: The smallest prepaid voucher is typically 500 or 1 000 shillings.

In everyday life the 100‑shilling note functions more as change than as a spending unit.

TSh 200 – Minimal convenience

Description and design

The 200‑shilling note is an ochre‑tan color and features two lions on the front. Although coins of 200 TZS exist, the banknote remains common for small purchases. It serves as pocket change for vendors and commuters.

What you can afford with TSh 200

• A small piece of fruit or a single mandazi (fried dough). Street vendors sell bananas, oranges or mandazi for 200–300 TZS.
• Public toilet fee: Public restrooms in bus stations often charge 100–200 TZS per visit.
• Plastic water sachet (50 ml). Vendors sell small water pouches for 100–200 TZS.

What you cannot buy

• Dala‑dala fare or BRT bus ride: Fares start at around 500 TZS per short ride.
• Mobile top‑up: 200 TZS cannot purchase airtime.
• A cup of tea or coffee: A small cup of sweet tea at a local café costs 300–500 TZS.

Like the 100 note, the 200 note provides change and covers very minor transactions.

TSh 500 – Basic snacks and short rides

Description and design

Although coins worth 500 shillings were introduced in 2014, the 500‑shilling note (violet and featuring a buffalo) remains in circulation. It is the smallest note that can buy a substantial item.

What you can afford with TSh 500

• A cup of tea or kahawa (coffee) at a roadside stall. Local cafés typically charge about 400–600 TZS per cup.
• Street snacks: A chapati or a single fried samosa costs around $0.50 USD, equivalent to TSh 1 325 at the 2 650 TZS/USD rateshiriadventures.com, so half portions or smaller snacks may be sold for 500 TZS.
• A dala‑dala ride within city limits: Many short trips in Dar es Salaam cost 500 TZS per person.
• Tips for service: When leaving a small tip for a porter or taxi driver, 500 TZS is a customary token.

What you cannot buy

• Lunch meal: A basic lunch set at a local eatery costs about TSh 15 241expatistan.com, far above 500 TZS.
• 1 kg of vegetables: A kilogram of tomatoes costs TSh 3 441 and potatoes cost TSh 2 461expatistan.com.
• Half liter of milk: At TSh 2 939 per liter, even half a liter is more than 1 400 TZS.

Five hundred shillings is the minimum convenient note for transit, minor snacks and small tips.

TSh 1 000 – Your daily driver

Description and design

The 1 000‑shilling note is blue and features Julius Nyerere. It is one of the workhorses of Tanzania’s cash economy. Its reverse side depicts the presidential residencetanzania-safaris.com. Because it is small but still useful, people carry several 1 000 notes for routine purchases.

What you can afford with TSh 1 000

• Local breakfast: A chapati (flatbread) and cup of tea might cost around 800–1 200 TZS depending on the location.
• Street foods: A skewer of mishkaki (grilled meat) usually costs about $2shiriadventures.com (~5 300 TZS), but smaller skewers or viazi karai (fried potatoes) can be found for 1 000 TZS.
• Fresh produce: Half a kilogram of tomatoes (~TSh 1 720) or half a kilogram of potatoes (~TSh 1 230) is within the 1 000 rangeexpatistan.com.
• Commuter bus ride: Several dala‑dala rides or one express bus ride (around 500–1 000 TZS per ride) can be covered.
• Mobile airtime: Telecom companies sell scratch cards in denominations of 500, 1 000 and 2 000 TZS. With 1 000 you can purchase basic voice and data packages.

What you cannot buy

• A liter of milk: Costs TSh 2 939expatistan.com.
• Cappuccino or espresso: A cappuccino in a café costs TSh 5 488expatistan.com—five times the 1 000 note.
• Half kilogram of boneless chicken: Costs TSh 9 672expatistan.com.

The 1 000‑shilling note is essential for small daily meals, produce and transport.

TSh 2 000 – Convenience for groceries and short meals

Description and design

The 2 000‑shilling note is ochre‑orange and depicts a lion with Mt Kilimanjaro behind it. The words “elfu mbili” mean “two thousand”tanzania-safaris.com. On the reverse is an old fort in Zanzibartanzania-safaris.com.

What you can afford with TSh 2 000

• Loaf of bread and milk: A loaf of bread costs about TSh 1 514 and 1 litre of milk costs TSh 2 939expatistan.com. Two thousand covers bread and leaves change; milk alone requires a bit more.
• Kilogram of potatoes or tomatoes: Both cost around TSh 2 461 and TSh 3 441 respectivelyexpatistan.com. 2 000 buys three‑quarters of a kilogram of potatoes or more than half a kilogram of tomatoes.
• Coffee date at a local café: A cappuccino costs TSh 5 488expatistan.com; 2 000 will buy a simple black coffee or two cups of tea.
• Mobile money transfer fee: With the government levy cut, many services charge about 200–700 TZS per transaction for small values. You can send small amounts via M‑Pesa or Tigo Pesa and pay the fee with change from 2 000.
• Public transit: Several dala‑dala rides or one BRT ride plus snacks.

What you cannot buy

• Dinner for two: A dinner for two in a neighborhood pub costs about TSh 58 600expatistan.com.
• Bottle of beer: A pint of domestic beer costs around TSh 3 261expatistan.com—slightly above 2 000. You might buy a half‑pint or local brew instead.
• Monthly bus pass: A monthly ticket for public transport costs TSh 48 638expatistan.com.

Two‑thousand shillings is the first note that makes grocery shopping and small café visits feasible.

TSh 5 000 – Meaningful purchases and mid‑range expenses

Description and design

The 5 000‑shilling note is violet and features a rhinoceros head above the Swahili words “elfu tano”tanzania-safaris.com. Its reverse side depicts a gold mine in Geita, reflecting Tanzania’s mining industrytanzania-safaris.com.

What you can afford with TSh 5 000

• Full breakfast or simple lunch: A combination of rice, beans and meat at a local mama lishe (small restaurant) costs about 4 000–6 000 TZS. 5 000 typically covers a plate of rice with stew and a drink.
• Half kilogram of boneless chicken: Costs TSh 9 672expatistan.com; 5 000 will buy roughly a quarter kilogram or 3–4 pieces of chicken at the butcher.
• Two liters of soda: A 2‑liter bottle of Coca‑Cola costs TSh 3 197expatistan.com—leaving enough change for a snack.
• Two cups of cappuccino: At TSh 5 488 per cupexpatistan.com, one 5 000 note covers one cappuccino but not two. However, local coffee or tea options cost less.
• Basic toiletry purchase: A tube of toothpaste costs around TSh 2 450 and a four‑pack of toilet paper costs TSh 3 153expatistan.com. 5 000 can purchase either item with change.
• Mobile money transfer plus cash‑out: With the levies reduced, sending around 10 000 TZS via mobile money and withdrawing it might cost between 500 and 1 500 TZS—covered by a 5 000 note.

What you cannot buy

• Dinner and drinks for two: Dinner for two at a modest pub costs TSh 58 600expatistan.com.
• Movie outing: Two movie tickets cost about TSh 21 785expatistan.com.
• Month of utilities: Urban utilities and electricity bills often range from 20 000 to 50 000 TZS depending on usage.

The 5 000 note begins to feel substantial—it covers personal care items, small groceries and simple meals.

TSh 10 000 – A day’s worth of spending

Description and design

The 10 000‑shilling note is Tanzania’s highest denomination. It is red and features the majestic African elephant with the Swahili words “elfu kumi” (ten thousand). The back shows the twin towers of the Bank of Tanzania’s headquarterstanzania-safaris.com. Security features include a windowed holographic thread and color‑shifting ink.

What you can afford with TSh 10 000

• Full day of local meals: A basic breakfast (1 000), lunch (4 000) and simple dinner (4 000) at mama lishe eateries can be covered by 10 000.
• Half kilogram of boneless chicken (TSh 9 672expatistan.com) with a little change.
• Two beers or cocktails: A pint of domestic beer costs TSh 3 261 and a cocktail in a bar costs TSh 11 050expatistan.com. 10 000 covers two beers or a modest drink and snacks.
• Small grocery basket: Combining a loaf of bread (1 514), a liter of milk (2 939), a kilogram of potatoes (2 461) and a kilogram of tomatoes (3 441) totals about 10 355 TZSexpatistan.com. 10 000 covers most of this list.
• Mobile money deposit: Many people use 10 000 TZS to top up their mobile wallets for later transactions.
• Inter‑city bus fare: A long‑distance bus from Arusha to Moshi or Dar es Salaam often costs 10 000–20 000 TZS. A 10 000 note may serve as part of the fare.
• Data bundle: Telecoms offer weekly data packages around 5 000–10 000 TZS for moderate usage; thus, 10 000 buys a week of smartphone data.

What you cannot buy

• Smartphone or electronics: Even basic smartphones start around 150 000 TZS (~$57). Higher‑end phones cost much more.
• Hotel night: Budget hostels start from 26 400 TZS per person per nighttanzania-safaris.com. 10 000 is less than half this amount.
• Large grocery shop: A more generous weekly grocery trip (meat, rice, fruits, vegetables, cooking oil) typically exceeds 40 000 TZS.

Ten thousand shillings will cover a day’s meals and small purchases but not significant expenses like accommodation or electronics.

Beyond 10 000 – Larger sums and context

While this guide focuses on denominations up to 10 000 TZS, it’s worth noting how larger expenses scale:

• Public transport pass: A monthly pass costs about TSh 48 638expatistan.com—roughly five 10 000 notes.
• Dinner for two: TSh 58 600expatistan.com is nearly six 10 000 notes.
• Petrol and commuting: Fuel prices stand at TSh 2 827 per literexpatistan.com. Filling a 40‑liter tank costs about 113 080 TZS (~$43). Petrol price increases have a strong impact on transport costs.
• Housing: Monthly rent for a modest apartment in mid‑range neighbourhoods of Arusha or Dar es Salaam ranges from 200 000 TZS to 600 000 TZS. Salaries and incomes vary widely; some government employees earn between 300 000 TZS and 800 000 TZS per month.

Understanding these figures is essential for long‑term planning and budgeting. For day‑to‑day purchases, the denominations described above suffice.

Cash vs Mobile Money: How Tanzanians Pay

Growth of digital payments

Tanzania is a leader in mobile‑money adoption. Between 2020 and 2024 the number of mobile‑money subscriptions almost doubled from 32.27 million to 61.88 million, and transactions processed through mobile wallets reached 3.74 billion in 2024ticgl.com. Services like M‑Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa (Mixx), HaloPesa and TPesa dominate the market, with M‑Pesa holding about 38.9 %, Airtel Money 30.7 % and smaller players sharing the remainderticgl.com.

The convenience of mobile money is described by Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda (a sentiment echoed across East Africa), who notes that “MoMo is no longer just a product, but it is part of our everyday life. It powers businesses, powers families, connects them and gives millions access to essential services that they never had before”commsrisk.com. She emphasizes that with mobile money you have the power to pay, transact, borrow and invest without visiting a bankcommsrisk.com.

Digital payments improve security and convenience. They allow Tanzanians to send money to relatives, pay bills and purchase airtime anywhere in the country—even rural areas where bank branches are scarce. In 2024 the government integrated the Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS) enabling real‑time transfers between banks and mobile wallets. The central bank also promotes interoperability, so users can send money across different networks.

Mobile money levy and public reaction

In 2021 Tanzania introduced a mobile‑money levy on transfer and withdrawal transactions. The levy initially cost up to TSh 7 000 per transaction, raising revenue for government spending but sparking public backlash. Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba acknowledged that the levy was burdensome and proposed reducing it. In June 2022 he announced a 43 % cut in the levy, lowering the maximum fee to TSh 4 000commsrisk.com. This reduction aimed to encourage usage without hurting revenue.

The GSMA, an association representing mobile‑money operators, warned that “Tanzanians are turning away from mobile money” due to the levy and that the tax harms the poorest and reverses progress in financial inclusioncommsrisk.com. The GSMA also emphasised that mobile money generates significant economic value and employs many Tanzanianscommsrisk.com.

Cash remains king

Despite the digital boom, cash is still indispensable. The Tanzania‑Safaris travel guide points out that having physical money is handy when buying from small, locally owned informal businesses such as street vendors and souvenir sellerstanzania-safaris.com. Many micro‑entrepreneurs lack point‑of‑sale machines or stable mobile‑money connectivity. Even in cities, boda‑boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers often prefer cash to avoid withdrawal fees.

Travelers should also note that some international hotels and upmarket establishments do not accept shillings, instead requesting payment in US dollars, euros or poundstanzania-safaris.com. National parks accept shillings, dollars or cashless payments, but shillings are not accepted for everythingtanzania-safaris.com. Carrying a mix of cash and a funded mobile wallet ensures flexibility.

Real‑world user perspectives

To illustrate how people navigate payments, here are quotations from real users and industry leaders:

• Sylvia Mulinge (MTN Uganda CEO): “15 years on today, MoMo is no longer just a product, but it is part of our everyday life. It powers businesses, powers families, connects them and gives millions access to essential services that they never had before”commsrisk.com.
• Sylvia Mulinge again: “Today with MoMo, you have the power to be your own bank. You can pay with MoMo. You can transact with MoMo. You can borrow with MoMo. You can invest with MoMo”commsrisk.com.
• Tanzania‑Safaris travel guidance: “Having cash on hand is especially handy if you want to purchase goods and services from small, locally owned informal businesses like street vendors and souvenir‑sellers. Of course, cash is also useful for giving tips”tanzania-safaris.com.
• GSMA report on the mobile‑money levy: “Tanzanians are turning away from mobile money as a result of the levy, harming the poorest and reversing progress in financial inclusion”commsrisk.com.

These voices highlight both the enthusiasm for mobile money and the continued reliance on cash.

Practical tips for handling Tanzanian shillings

1. Carry small notes: Vendors often lack change for 10 000 shilling notes. Carrying an assortment of 500, 1 000 and 2 000 notes helps with smooth transactions.
2. Use mobile money for security: For large transfers or paying bills, use mobile money to avoid carrying large sums of cash. Make sure your SIM card is registered and set a strong PIN.
3. Know your daily budget: Understanding what each note can buy helps you allocate funds for meals, transport and souvenirs. For example, plan on 10 000–20 000 TZS per day for budget meals and transport; budget more for tourist attractions.
4. Tipping etiquette: Tips range from 5 USD to 10 USD (13 150–26 300 TZS)tanzania-safaris.com. Tip service providers directly and engage politelytanzania-safaris.com.
5. Currency exchange: Use official Bureau de Change offices or ATMs in cities like Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibartanzania-safaris.com. Avoid street money changers; exchanging on the informal market is illegaltanzania-safaris.com.
6. Observe currency restrictions: Non‑residents may not legally enter or leave Tanzania with shillingstanzania-safaris.com. ATMs have withdrawal limits of about 150 USD (≈400 000 TZS) per transactiontanzania-safaris.com.

Conclusion

Tanzania’s colorful banknotes tell a story of value—from the humble 100‑shilling bill to the red 10 000‑shilling note that can feed you for a day. Knowing what each note can buy helps you budget, bargain and experience local life without confusion. While mobile money is reshaping finance and empowering millions, cash remains an everyday necessity for small vendors and travellers. Balancing both payment methods ensures you can pay for a chapati at a roadside stall, send money to a relative or buy a ticket to a national park with ease.

By understanding the purchasing power of each denomination and paying attention to quotes from real users, you’ll navigate Tanzania’s economy like a local. Whether you’re sipping chai by the Indian Ocean or transferring funds via M‑Pesa, the Tanzanian shilling connects you to the country’s people, culture and rhythm.