The report also documented significant economic damage. According to the findings, property worth approximately 125 billion Tanzanian shillings was destroyed during the unrest, with private businesses accounting for more than 70 per cent of total losses.
Banks, fuel stations, transport infrastructure and small businesses were among the sectors hardest hit by looting, arson and disruptions to commercial activity.
One business owner told the commission that a truck purchased through a bank loan was destroyed only months after entering operation, leaving him unable to recover the investment because the insurance policy excluded political violence.
Another trader described how looters emptied a mobile phone shop stocked with goods acquired on credit, worsening financial hardship for small entrepreneurs already operating under tight margins.
The report also recorded losses in the banking sector, including theft from automated teller machines belonging to major financial institutions.
Economists appearing before the commission warned that extended instability could have weakened Tanzania’s investment climate, disrupted tourism and logistics networks and increased financial risks if decisive measures had not been taken.
Preserving confidence in the economy
Despite the political turmoil, Tanzania retained a B1 sovereign credit rating in a February 2026 assessment byMoody’s Ratings, an indication that international lenders continued to view the country as creditworthy.
The report attributed part of that resilience to the government’s rapid decision to establish the inquiry commission and address the crisis through institutional mechanisms rather than prolonged political confrontation.
“According to the Central Bank, the President’s decision to establish the Commission of Inquiry was a very positive decision and an important starting point for building confidence in Tanzania’s economy,” the report stated.
Analysts say the move helped reassure investors, development partners and financial markets that Tanzania remained committed to constitutional processes, accountability and long-term stability.
Justice Chande emphasised that the commission’s recommendations were intended not only to investigate past violence but also to strengthen governance and rebuild trust between citizens and state institutions.
“The report we are presenting today, together with its recommendations, carries the collective national commitment to heal wounds, ensure accountability where necessary, but above all to learn and move forward together,” he said.
Political observers say the inquiry reflects a broader recognition that economic growth and investment depend heavily on institutional credibility, political stability and public confidence in governance systems.
In a region where political uncertainty can quickly affect capital flows and investor sentiment, analysts argue that Tanzania’s decision to confront the crisis through a public inquiry has reinforced perceptions of the country as a state seeking to balance stability, accountability and democratic resilience.
Notes to Editors
· The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the violence that followed Tanzania’s October 2025 General Election concluded that the unrest was driven by a combination of political, economic and social grievances, including rising living costs, unemployment and concerns over unequal economic opportunities.
· The Commission was chaired by former Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman and was established by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to investigate incidents of violence and recommend measures to strengthen national stability and governance.
· According to the report, property worth approximately TZS 125 billion was destroyed during the unrest, with private businesses accounting for more than 70 per cent of total losses.
Media Contact:
Information Services Department and Office of The Chief Government Spokesman
E-mail: maelezotv@gmail.com
Phone: +255 754 750 765; +255 754 698 856; +255 759 714; +255 713 381 904
Availability: EAT, UTC +3