The Government is reviewing laws and policies governing Tanzania’s blue economy in a push to attract more private investment while ensuring the country’s marine and other natural resources generate tangible benefits for citizens.
The Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs says the reforms will focus on removing legal barriers to investment in the blue economy while strengthening safeguards for Tanzania’s natural wealth.
The move is expected to support investment in areas such as marine fishing, seaweed farming and other activities linked to the sustainable use of ocean and freshwater resources.
Neema Mwanga, Director of the Natural Wealth and Natural Resources Oversight Unit at the ministry, said the government was seeking to strike a balance between creating an attractive investment climate and protecting resources for current and future generations.
“We are pushing the agenda of striking the right balance between our responsibility to attract investment and our responsibility to oversee the country’s wealth and natural resources in order to achieve sustainable economic and social development,” Ms Mwanga said.
She said the ministry was reviewing existing laws and proposing amendments where legal provisions had become obstacles to the sustainable harvesting, use and investment in the country’s natural resources.
The reforms are being pursued in line with the National Development Vision 2050, which places the private sector at the centre of Tanzania’s long-term economic transformation.
According to Ms Mwanga, the private sector is expected to account for 70 per cent of the contribution required to drive the implementation of Vision 2050, making an enabling business and legal environment critical.
She said the private sector already plays an important role in the blue economy through activities including marine fishing, seaweed farming and the production of marine-based products.
“Vision 2050 clearly directs that 70 per cent will come from the private sector, and the private sector is already driving economic activity in areas such as marine fishing, seaweed farming and the production of marine products,” she said.
The government says attracting investors will not be enough unless local communities also benefit from the resources and economic opportunities created by blue economy investments.
Ms Mwanga said the ministry would therefore support efforts to educate citizens about opportunities in the sector and encourage greater participation in activities that can generate income, jobs and businesses.
The approach is intended to ensure that investment in Tanzania’s natural resources translates into wider economic and social gains rather than benefits being concentrated among investors alone.
The ministry also has a dedicated unit responsible for addressing investment and commercial disputes, including those that may arise in blue economy-related activities.
Richard Jacopiyo, Chief State Attorney at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, said the government was encouraging investors and other stakeholders to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to settle commercial disputes.
He said the ministry had registered professionals, including mediators and facilitators, to provide such services.
“We understand that investment activities can give rise to various disputes between investors and service providers. As a ministry, we therefore encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” Mr Jacopiyo said.
He urged professionals seeking to provide alternative dispute resolution services to register through the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Information System (NARIS), which was established to streamline the registration process.
Mr Jacopiyo said a predictable and effective legal system was essential to attracting investment while protecting national interests.
“Law is an important tool for creating an investment environment that protects national interests while attracting investment. To achieve this, we need a strong legal framework that creates an enabling environment for economic activities, particularly the blue economy,” he said.
The planned legal and policy reforms come as Tanzania seeks to make greater use of its extensive marine and freshwater resources as a source of jobs, investment and economic growth.
For citizens, the government says the priority will be to ensure that the expansion of the blue economy creates opportunities for local businesses and communities while safeguarding the resources on which future generations will depend.