Tanzania’s new map in offing

DODOMA: THE newly updated National Land Policy of 1995 (2023 Edition) is set to enable Tanzania to update the map of the entire country for the first time in nearly five decades.

The policy permits foreign investors to invest in real estates like constructing affordable houses for renting and selling in Tanzania.

President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan unveiled the plan yesterday during the launch of the new land policy in Dodoma.

She noted that the update comes at a crucial time as the government implements the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Project, which will lead to the creation of a new, modern map.

“The last map was created in 1978, but Tanzania has changed significantly since then. If you compare Dar es Salaam in 1978 to today, the difference is vast,” Dr Samia said.

“We will deploy drones, aircraf and other advanced technologies to survey the entire United Republic of Tanzania and draw a new map.”

The updated map aims to reflect Tanzania’s current socio-economic and political landscape, addressing demographic shifts and human settlement changes over the past 50 years.

It will also facilitate better land management, sustainable development and fairness in land ownership.

Dr Samia highlighted that the new geospatial data will enhance digital planning, particularly in land use and major development projects.

It will also help resolve land conflicts caused by overlapping projects due to outdated or incomplete land information.

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“It is common to find multiple projects allocated to the same site, leading to demolitions and reconstruction. The new mapping system will enable public entities, ministries and stakeholders to coordinate development efforts effectively,” she stated.

Additionally, the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Project will contribute to improved urban planning by ensuring well-organised socioeconomic infrastructure, such as roads, in alignment with precise geographical data.

Dr Samia also highlighted key achievements in land administration under her leadership.

The Ministry of Lands’ budget has increased from 134bn/- in the 2021/2022 financial year to 171bn/- in 2024/2025, strengthening land title deed issuance and land surveying.

So far, 355,626 land title deeds have been issued, 1.6 million plots surveyed and 12,626 large farms and 446 village boundaries mapped.

She further noted that the 2022 National Housing and Population Census played a critical role in shaping the revised land policy.

Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Deogratius Ndejembi, affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring all land in Tanzania is surveyed by 2030.

He emphasised that the country’s population has grown from 9 million in 1961 to over 60 million today, necessitating updated land planning to accommodate expanding urban areas, villages and regions.

Mr Ndejembi assured President Samia that the new land policy will enhance the utilisation of geospatial data to drive sustainable development, particularly in managing resources such as natural gas, minerals and wildlife for future generations.

Tanzania spans a total area of over 947,303 square kilometres.