Tanzania's ambitions to build a competitive and prosperous economy by 2050 face a fundamental challenge: citizens and investors lack sufficient confidence in the legal system to protect property, enforce contracts and resolve disputes fairly. The government's Development Vision 2050 seeks to transform the country into a trillion-dollar economy with average income per person reaching US$7,000 by 2050. Yet without reliable legal institutions, infrastructure investment and economic expansion alone will not deliver these targets.
According to the Fraser Institute's 2025 Economic Freedom of the World report based on 2023 data, Tanzania ranked 102nd out of 165 jurisdictions with an overall economic freedom score of 6.27 out of 10. In the Legal System and Property Rights category, Tanzania scored 5.22 and ranked 82nd globally, lower than its scores in sound money and regulation. The legal system affects whether businesses gain the predictable rules needed to commit capital and whether property rights receive genuine protection.
Dr Samwel Lananga argues that Tanzania must move beyond simply having laws on paper to creating a legal ecosystem that stimulates economic activity. Legal expert Neema Nkya emphasises that Parliament and courts must work together, with judicial interpretation helping to identify gaps and unintended consequences in legislation. She warns that many Tanzanians remain unfamiliar with their rights and responsibilities, pointing to public awareness as a significant weakness.
Nicholas Lekule, Executive Director of HakiRasilimali, notes that inadequate understanding of land rights weakens citizens' bargaining positions with investors, particularly in rural areas where land remains a major productive asset. Improving access to justice must accompany public education, with legal awareness programmes, accessible legal aid and simplified procedures helping more citizens protect their interests.