Tanzania has long been one of East Africa's most important migration destinations. Its political stability, strategic location, growing economy, and humanitarian policies have attracted immigrants from neighboring countries and beyond. Unlike many countries where immigration is driven primarily by economic opportunities, Tanzania's immigrant population is shaped by a combination of refugee movements, trade, family reunification, education, investment, and employment.
According to United Nations international migrant stock estimates for 2024, Tanzania hosted approximately 422,894 international migrants, representing about 0.62% of the country's total population. The majority originate from neighboring African countries, particularly those that have experienced conflict or political instability.
Tanzania's Immigrant Population by Country of Origin
The table below shows the largest immigrant groups residing in Tanzania.
| Country of Origin | Estimated Immigrant Population | Share of Total Immigrant Population | Main Reasons for Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burundi | 241,069 | 57.0% | Refugees, family reunification, trade |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 76,772 | 18.2% | Refugees, asylum seekers, trade |
| Kenya | 26,345 | 6.2% | Employment, business, education |
| Republic of Congo | 24,189 | 5.7% | Employment, trade, family migration |
| Mozambique | 14,166 | 3.3% | Employment, family ties |
| Zambia | 8,289 | 2.0% | Business, employment |
| India | 7,744 | 1.8% | Investment, business ownership |
| Malawi | 6,678 | 1.6% | Employment, family migration |
| Uganda | 4,695 | 1.1% | Trade, education, employment |
| Somalia | 2,867 | 0.7% | Refugees, business activities |
Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Migrant Stock 2024.
Immigration by Major Reason
1. Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Refugees represent the largest category of immigrants in Tanzania. For decades, Tanzania has hosted displaced populations from neighboring countries, particularly Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As of the end of 2025, Tanzania hosted approximately 226,300 refugees and asylum seekers. About 138,600 were from Burundi, while approximately 87,000 came from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most reside in refugee camps in Kigoma Region, particularly Nduta and Nyarugusu.
| Country | Estimated Refugee Population |
|---|---|
| Burundi | 138,600 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 87,000 |
| Other Countries | Less than 1,000 |
The continued instability in eastern Congo and previous political crises in Burundi have made Tanzania a critical refuge destination within the Great Lakes region.
2. Trade and Business Migration
Tanzania is a member of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), making it an important regional trade hub.
Business migrants primarily come from:
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Kenya
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Uganda
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Zambia
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India
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China
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South Africa
Many operate in sectors such as:
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Wholesale and retail trade
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Manufacturing
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Construction
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Hospitality
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Logistics
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Import and export businesses
Dar es Salaam remains the principal destination for business immigrants due to its role as Tanzania's commercial capital and largest port.
3. Employment and Skilled Migration
Tanzania attracts foreign workers in specialized industries that require technical expertise.
Key sectors include:
| Sector | Common Nationalities |
|---|---|
| Mining | South Africans, Indians, Australians |
| Construction | Chinese, Indians |
| Energy | Kenyans, South Africans |
| Telecommunications | Kenyans, Ugandans |
| Finance | Kenyans, Europeans |
| Tourism | South Africans, Europeans |
Kenyan professionals form one of the largest groups of skilled immigrants because of regional labor mobility within East Africa.
4. Investment and Entrepreneurship
India has maintained a significant presence in Tanzania for more than a century. Today, Indian immigrants and Tanzanians of Indian origin play important roles in:
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Manufacturing
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Pharmaceuticals
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Banking
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Real estate
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Wholesale trade
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Information technology
Foreign investors from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have also established businesses throughout Tanzania, particularly in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Zanzibar.
5. Education and Academic Migration
Tanzania attracts students from neighboring countries due to the availability of universities offering affordable higher education.
Popular destinations include:
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Dar es Salaam
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Arusha
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Morogoro
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Dodoma
International students commonly originate from:
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Uganda
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Kenya
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Rwanda
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Burundi
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Democratic Republic of Congo
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Malawi
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Zambia
Programs in medicine, business, engineering, and agriculture are especially popular among foreign students.
Geographic Distribution of Immigrants
Immigrants are not evenly distributed across Tanzania.
| Region | Main Immigrant Groups | Primary Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Kigoma | Burundians, Congolese | Refugee settlements |
| Dar es Salaam | Kenyans, Indians, Ugandans | Business and employment |
| Arusha | Kenyans, Europeans | Tourism and NGOs |
| Mwanza | Ugandans, Kenyans | Trade |
| Zanzibar | Europeans, Asians | Tourism and investment |
| Mbeya | Zambians, Malawians | Cross-border trade |
Kigoma hosts the largest concentration of refugees, while Dar es Salaam hosts the largest number of economic migrants.
Economic Contributions of Immigrants
Immigrants contribute significantly to Tanzania's economy through:
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Tax revenue
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Business investments
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Employment creation
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Skills transfer
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International trade networks
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Consumer spending
Entrepreneurs from Kenya, India, Uganda, and other countries have established thousands of businesses that support both local employment and economic growth.
Challenges Facing Immigrants
Despite Tanzania's history of hospitality, immigrants face several challenges:
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Work permit requirements
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Residency regulations
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Limited employment opportunities for refugees
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Language barriers
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Access to social services
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Integration into local communities
Refugees in particular often depend heavily on humanitarian assistance due to restrictions on employment and movement.
Future Immigration Trends
Tanzania's immigrant population is expected to remain dominated by regional migration from East and Central Africa. Continued economic growth, infrastructure development, expanding regional trade, and educational opportunities are likely to attract additional migrants seeking employment and investment opportunities.
At the same time, refugee flows will continue to depend heavily on political and security conditions in neighboring countries, especially Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Given Tanzania's strategic location and relative stability, it is expected to remain one of the most important migrant and refugee destinations in East Africa for the foreseeable future.
