NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT LAW: WHAT EVERY TANZANIAN BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW

LEGAL UPDATE | 30TH JULY 2026

NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT LAW : WHAT EVERY TANZANIA BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW

Specified transactions must be done through electronic payments.
List of specified transactions provided.
"Electronic means" defined.
Transitional period of six months provided.

The Government of Tanzania has continued to push for the use of technology in transactions. On 30^th June 2026, the Minister of Finance issued the Electronic Transactions (Mandatory Electronic Payments for Specified Transactions), Order 2026 (the Order) under Section 13(2) of the Electronic Transactions Act, Cap 442. The Order came into operation on 1^st July 2026. The key highlights of the Order are set below:

Key Highlights.

1.Mandatory electronic payment

The Order makes it mandatory for specified transactions to be paid or received through electronic payment methods such as mobile money, payment cards, bank transfers, electronic funds transfer, electronic wallet, point-of-sale device, internet or mobile banking, or Government electronic payment system.

2. Transactions Covered.

The Order has listed the specified transactions in the Schedule to the Order for which mandatory electronic payment applies. These transactions include, among others:

Transport-related fees and fares (bus rapid transit services, longer-distance passenger bus services, online taxi, air transport, railway transport and parking services).
Payment for goods or services in shopping malls, cinema theatres, filling stations, conference and event venues, etc.
Payment for accommodation, food and beverages in hotels, restaurants and cafes.
School and university fees and contributions for pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary institutions and universities.
Payment for renting, sale or purchase of a building, plot or farm.
Purchase or sale of motor vehicles.

3. Transitional Period

Businesses and persons who are already receiving payments from specified transactions before the operation of the Order are given a six (6) month period to establish compliant electronic payment systems. Businesses that had contracts relating to any specified transactions that were made before the operation of the Order will not be affected.

4. Practical Implications.

Businesses and Persons engaged in the specified transactions are required to establish electronic means that enable customers to make payments electronically. Further, businesses should update their internal payment procedures within the six-month timeframe provided to comply with the Order.

Final remarks

The Order enhances the Government’s efforts to promote a cashless economy by making electronic payments mandatory for specified transactions. The Order has placed compliance obligations on businesses to comply within a six months time-frame. Eternal Attorneys calls on businesses to comply with the Order so as to avoid any potential legal repercussions. For further enquiries, please feel free to reach out to our team of legal experts via info@eternal.co.tz or +255 749 668 866 for such an engagement.

To read the Electronic Transactions (Mandatory Electronic Payments for Specified Transactions) Order, 2026- Click Here.

Disclaimer

This publication is intended to give you a general overview and does not constitute professional legal advice. Eternal Attorneys, its associates, employees, or agents shall not be responsible for any loss in the event this email is relied upon without seeking professional advice first.

About Eternal - Attorneys

Eternal – Attorneys at Law is a specialized law firm based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, dedicated to providing legal and consultancy services to clients, locally and overseas. We specialize in Tax, Corporate and Commercial, Compliance and Advisory, Banking and Finance, Litigation, Mining, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Employment, Immigration, Family, Competition, Succession Law, and Estate Planning.

UncategorizedJuly 29, 2026

NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT LAW: WHAT EVERY TANZANIAN BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW

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Eternal Attorneys is a specialized firm based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania dedicated to providing legal and consultancy services to clients, locally and overseas.

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info@eternal.co.tz

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LEGAL UPDATE | 30TH JULY 2026

NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT LAW : WHAT EVERY TANZANIA BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW

Key Highlights.

1.Mandatory electronic payment

2. Transactions Covered.

3. Transitional Period

4. Practical Implications.

Final remarks

Disclaimer

About Eternal - Attorneys

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NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT LAW: WHAT EVERY TANZANIAN BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW

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