Tanzania rescued 160 victims of human trafficking and arrested 57 suspects during the 2025/26 financial year as authorities intensified efforts to combat a crime increasingly driven by online recruitment scams and cross-border criminal networks.
The figures were released by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), Mr Paschal Katambi, in a statement marking the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The annual observance is being commemorated under the theme “Beware of Modern Slavery Through Online Scams,” highlighting growing concerns over the use of social media, mobile phones and digital platforms to lure victims with promises of jobs, education opportunities, business ventures and overseas travel.
Mr Katambi described human trafficking as a serious crime that violates fundamental human rights, threatens national security and undermines social and economic development.
“Criminals are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to deceive vulnerable people with false promises that eventually lead to trafficking and exploitation,” he said.
According to the statement, 126 victims were rescued within Tanzania while 34 were recovered from foreign countries. Of the 57 suspects arrested, 45 have already been taken to court, while investigations into the remaining 12 cases are ongoing.
As part of broader efforts to strengthen the anti-trafficking response, the government has established a Human Trafficking Reporting Centre, allowing citizens to report suspected cases through the toll-free emergency hotline 195.
The government has also launched a fund to support trafficking victims and continued the construction of a Safe House that will provide shelter, healthcare, psychosocial support and legal assistance. The facility has reached 73 percent completion and is expected to be operational by November 2026.
Mr Katambi said awareness campaigns conducted during the year reached 19,076 members of the public, while 314 stakeholders involved in anti-trafficking efforts received specialised training.
Tanzania has also expanded cooperation with regional and international partners to disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that significant challenges remain.
These include the growing use of technology to recruit victims, limited public awareness of trafficking warning signs, delayed reporting due to fear or intimidation, and the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by organised criminal groups.
He urged Tanzanians to verify the legitimacy of employment, education and travel opportunities advertised online through relevant government institutions, embassies and accredited agencies before sharing personal information or making travel arrangements.
Parents were encouraged to closely monitor their children's online activities and remain alert to individuals offering overseas opportunities through social media platforms.
The government also called on media organisations to continue educating the public on emerging trafficking trends and prevention measures.
Mr Katambi further urged citizens to report suspected trafficking activities through the emergency hotline, assuring them that all information would be treated confidentially.
“Young people seeking employment abroad should follow established legal procedures and avoid shortcuts that expose them to exploitation and trafficking,” he said.
The government has directed public and private institutions, recruitment agencies, financial institutions, transport operators, hotel owners and telecommunications companies to strengthen collaboration with authorities in identifying and reporting indicators of human trafficking.
The Anti-Trafficking Secretariat has meanwhile been instructed to expand public awareness campaigns and work closely with security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks operating within and outside the country.
Mr Katambi said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan remains committed to protecting victims, prosecuting offenders and strengthening mechanisms aimed at preventing human trafficking.
He called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly, saying the fight against human trafficking requires collective action from all sectors of society.
“Protecting human dignity and safeguarding the nation against trafficking is a shared responsibility,” he said.
