LTSP promotes debate on the review of legal and regulatory framework on Land Administration and Governance

Tanzania’s Land Tenure Support Programme (LTSP) has again demonstrated that there is strong national and sectoral leadership and commitment to improved land service delivery and transparency in Tanzania. In any land project there is always a need for strong communication and coordination within and between government and non-government stakeholders. The LTSP has recently established a Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) to best facilitate and improve inter-agency cooperation, in support of land tenure reform as envisioned under the Strategic Plan for Implementation of Land Laws (SPILL) 2013.

The main objective of the MSG is to promote debate on current legislation and policy evolution, institutional roles and responsibilities. Through the LTSP, the MSG has organised several forums that have debated on legal and policy reform needs with a view to improving communication and coordination between the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement (MLHHSD) and other government institutions and organisations. With recent efforts, the MSG has formulated research topics in the areas of land related disputes, dispute resolution systems and benefit sharing model on large scale investment on land to analyse various benefit sharing models and make recommendations suitable for Tanzania.

The MSG recently convened a special working session in Dodoma, the Capital City of Tanzania, to kick start the debate on the state of legal and policy issues on land. The objective of the session was to come up with a position paper that identifies priority areas and essential changes needed within land-related legislation, in order to facilitate the review and harmonisation of the land laws. In developing this policy paper, MSG Members reviewed and analysed the current legal and institutional issues in the land sector, including identifying those that hinder the acceleration of registration of rural land, discourage promotion of investment in land, deny land rights among various groups and which ultimately limit tenure security.

Broad stakeholder representation on the MSG is critical to its success and the quality of its outputs. This has been ensured through the inclusion of members from across the relevant Ministries and non-governmental organisations, including Care International and MVIWATA, as well as the private sector, University of Dar es Salaam and a representation from international development partners. The participation of civil society and non-governmental organisations particularly facilitates trust and confidence and further opens communication channels as these organisations report back on progress and decisions to interested parties.