Investment and Land Dispute with Local Communities in Tanzania, Analysis of Law and Practice

Land is the natural vital asset owned by person or persons. Although land plays a major role in social and economic development, its management remains doubtful in Tanzania. Land has become strength of the Tanzania Investment Center in advertising and promoting investment in the country.  For this reason, the land laws of 2019 (Land Act No. 4 and the Village Land Act No. 5) reflect the disposition of land for investment purposes especially acquisition of land by foreign investors. Laws governing access to land remains subject to criticism as land disputes between investors who allocated land and the surrounding local communities keeps on increasing across the country. This dissertation comprises five chapters whereby Chapter one provides for the background to the problem, statement of the research problem, objective of the study, literature review and research methodology. Chapter two covers the historical background of land tenure system in Tanzania. Chapter three provides for acquisition of land for investment purposes in Tanzania; legal framework. Chapter four provides for the extent to which land laws regulate acquisition of land for investment purposes in Tanzania. The fifth chapter provides for the General conclusions and recommendations. The researcher used qualitative method in conducting the study. The sample technique employed in carrying out the study was purposive and the researcher administered questionnaires and interview to sample individuals. The study aimed to critically study and evaluate the whole process involving the acquisition of land for investment purposes and to investigate the factors contributing to land disputes between investors and surrounding local communities.