The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has urged the public to remain vigilant against counterfeit currency, warning that offenders face some of the country’s toughest penalties, including life imprisonment.
Speaking at a journalists’ workshop in Dodoma on Thursday, November 21, 2025, senior BoT officer Mr. Atufigwegwe Mwakabalula highlighted that counterfeiters are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques.
He stressed the importance of recognising the security features embedded in genuine notes to protect both individuals and the wider economy.
Mr. Mwakabalula outlined key security elements designed to prevent forgery.
They include the watermark featuring the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere; a precise see-through register that aligns patterns on both sides when held against the light; latent images that appear when a note is tilted; and tactile markings on the corners to help visually impaired users identify denominations.
Other features include the Spark colour-shifting ink patch, an embedded security thread visible when held up, and fibres and denomination markers detectable only under ultraviolet light.
“These are deliberate layers of protection,” he said, noting that such features are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
The warning comes alongside a reminder of the legal consequences. Under the Penal Code, producing, possessing, or circulating counterfeit currency is classified as forgery and counterfeiting, punishable by life imprisonment.
Authorities say the crime threatens economic stability, erodes trust in the financial system, and distorts market transactions.
Mr. Mwakabalula urged citizens to inspect notes carefully, especially during fast-paced transactions at markets, transport hubs, and night-time businesses where fake notes are most likely to circulate.
He also encouraged reporting suspected counterfeit currency to banks or the police, emphasizing that “an informed citizen is the strongest safeguard.”
The BoT stressed that protecting the integrity of Tanzania’s currency is a shared responsibility, relying on both advanced security features and vigilant users.