The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has urged Tanzanians to handle banknotes with care, warning that deliberately damaging currency can attract legal consequences while shortening the useful life of notes in circulation.
The central bank said citizens should treat money as a national asset by keeping banknotes clean and intact so they can remain in circulation for longer.
Speaking on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a financial literacy seminar for people with special needs in Morogoro, BoT Banking and Currency Services Manager at its Dodoma Branch, Mr Nolasco Maluli, said the public had a responsibility to protect the country's currency.
“We continue to educate Tanzanians and the public at large to take care of our money. We should protect it because it is a national asset, and it should not be damaged in any way,” Mr Maluli said.
His remarks are backed by Section 332A of the Penal Code, Cap 16, as amended in 2023, which prohibits a person from deliberately damaging, tearing, cutting or otherwise defacing a banknote without lawful authority.
The provision is intended to discourage deliberate destruction of currency and promote responsible handling of banknotes, which remain an important part of everyday transactions, particularly for people who rely heavily on cash.
The seminar also focused on improving financial literacy among people with special needs, with stakeholders saying better access to financial knowledge could help more people participate in economic activities.
SEED Trust Executive Director Margaret Agnes Mkanga said financial education was important in helping people with special needs understand and make use of available economic opportunities, contributing to the country's Development Vision 2050.
Morogoro Municipal Council NGO Coordinator Simfonsa Mollel thanked the BoT for extending financial education to people with special needs, saying the initiative could contribute to building a more inclusive economy.
The campaign comes as the BoT continues to promote responsible use of currency alongside broader financial literacy efforts aimed at ensuring citizens understand how to manage and protect their money.