Smart, stronger land management to propel growth

TANZANIA: FEW people think about land until they need it. A young family looking for a place to build a home, a farmer seeking to expand production, an entrepreneur planning a warehouse or an investor considering a manufacturing plant will all eventually confront the same question: who owns the land, how is it managed and can it support future growth?

As Tanzania begins implementing Dira 2050, these questions are taking on greater importance. The long-term development blueprint aims to transform Tanzania into a prosperous, inclusive and competitive nation by mid-century.

It envisages a onetrillion-dollar economy, stronger industries, modern infrastructure, vibrant cities and improved living standards for a population expected to exceed 118 million.

Much of the discussion around Dira 2050 has focused on industrialisation, technology, infrastructure and investment. Yet, land underpins nearly every aspect of economic activity. Factories, housing developments, industrial parks, roads, railways, ports and energy projects all require land.

So do agriculture, tourism and urban expansion. In many ways, the Tanzania envisioned under Dira 2050 will be built on land-use decisions being made today. This is reflected in the government’s approach to land administration and urban development.

Presenting the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development budget estimates for 2026/27, docket Minister Dr Leonard Akwilapo outlined priorities including land-use planning, surveying, digitalisation, dispute resolution and housing development.

The agenda reflects a broader shift in thinking: land administration is increasingly being viewed not simply as a regulatory function but as a strategic component of economic transformation. Dira 2050 identifies sustainable urbanisation, effective land management and environmental stewardship as important to Tanzania’s long-term development. The challenge is substantial.

By 2050, the country’s population is expected to be significantly larger than today. Urban centres will continue expanding as economic opportunities attract more people to towns and cities. Demand for housing, industrial space, infrastructure and commercial property will consequently increase.

Without proper planning, rapid growth can result in informal settlements, land disputes, higher infrastructure costs and uncertainty over ownership and land use. That is why land-use planning has become a major government priority.

According to the ministry, more than 35,000 plots were planned and surveyed during the current financial year, surpassing the original target of 15,000. For many Tanzanians, a surveyed plot represents security and certainty.

Formal recognition of ownership can reduce disputes and make it easier for individuals and businesses to develop property and access financing. For investors, certainty is equally important. Clear ownership rights, transparent planning frameworks and efficient land administration can strengthen confidence and support longterm investment.

This is particularly relevant as Tanzania seeks to attract more domestic and foreign investment under Dira 2050. The plan will significantly support agriculture and investment in the country. Agriculture provides a clear example of the importance of secure land rights.

Dira 2050 seeks to transform agriculture into a more productive and commercially oriented sector by increasing output, strengthening value addition and expanding access to domestic and export markets. These ambitions depend heavily on secure land tenure.

Farmers are more likely to invest in irrigation, mechanisation and improved technologies when they have confidence in their land rights. Investors considering large-scale agricultural projects similarly require certainty before committing resources.

The same principle applies to livestock, tourism, mining and manufacturing. As the economy expands, competition for land will intensify. Agriculture, conservation, urban development, infrastructure and industrial projects will increasingly compete for limited space.

Effective land-use planning will, therefore, be essential to balancing competing interests while supporting sustainable growth. Village land-use plans can play an important role by helping reduce conflicts involving farmers, pastoralists, investors and conservation interests while creating a clearer framework for development. The government is also seeking to modernise the delivery of land services.

For years, land administration has often been associated with lengthy procedures, paper records and bureaucratic delays. Digitalisation offers an opportunity to change this. Through the e-Ardhi platform and related initiatives, Tanzania is seeking to improve efficiency, transparency and access to land services.

Digital systems can reduce processing times, improve record management and strengthen public confidence. They also align with Vision 2050’s emphasis on digital transformation as a driver of economic growth and better public services.

As demand for land services increases, reliable digital systems will become increasingly important for managing information, processing applications and improving access to government services. Housing is another area where land policy directly intersects with Dira 2050.

Rapid population growth and urbanisation will create substantial demand for housing in the coming decades. Meeting that demand will require more than construction; it will require effective planning, regulation and land management.

Dira 2050 highlights the importance of well-planned human settlements and improved access to decent housing. The goal is not simply to accommodate population growth, but to create liveable, productive and resilient communities.

The ministry’s planned reforms, including improvements in property regulation and professional standards within the real estate sector, could help strengthen the property market and encourage investment. Well-planned settlements can also improve access to public services, reduce infrastructure costs and support economic activity.

Land governance is also closely linked to environmental sustainability. Population growth, urban expansion and climate-related pressures are likely to place increasing demands on land resources. Managing these pressures will require stronger institutions, better planning and reliable information.

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The ministry’s work on geospatial mapping and spatial information systems can support infrastructure planning, environmental management, disaster preparedness and investment decisions. Accurate land information enables policymakers to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges and allocate resources more effectively.

This supports Dira 2050’s emphasis on evidence-based planning and balanced development that combines economic growth with environmental sustainability and social inclusion. Ultimately, the evolving role of land reflects a broader shift in how development is understood.

Land is no longer simply a legal or administrative issue. It is increasingly a form of economic infrastructure. Just as roads connect markets and electricity powers industries, effective land systems provide the certainty required for investment, production and long-term planning.

The success of Dira 2050 will depend on many factors, including innovation, industrialisation, education, infrastructure and private-sector growth. But beneath these ambitions lies a resource that often receives less attention than it deserves.

Every factory, housing estate, logistics hub, commercial farm and industrial park begins with land. As Tanzania charts its path towards 2050, how that land is planned, allocated, protected and managed could play a decisive role in determining how successfully the country turns its long-term ambitions into reality.