By The Respondents Reporter
The government has urged businesses to make greater use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), saying lengthy and costly commercial disputes can tie up money, time and business relationships that could otherwise support investment and economic activity.
Deputy Solicitor General Alice E. Mtulo said wider use of mediation, arbitration and other ADR mechanisms could help businesses resolve disputes more efficiently while strengthening confidence in Tanzania’s investment environment.
“When we talk about alternative dispute resolution, we need the cooperation of all stakeholders. The Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs has an important role in creating a favourable legal, institutional and operational environment,” Ms Mtulo said.
She was representing Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Zainab Katimba at the opening of Tanzania Commercial Dispute Resolution Week and the 2026 Commercial Dispute Resolution Summit.
The event was organised by the Tanzania International Arbitration Centre (TIAC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Solicitor General and the Law School of Tanzania.
Ms Mtulo said the effectiveness of ADR would depend not only on having the mechanisms in place, but also on maintaining integrity, independence and public confidence in the process.
She said the government, judiciary, lawyers, arbitrators and legal scholars all had a role in strengthening the system.
For businesses, the issue goes beyond the courtroom, with disputes potentially disrupting operations, delaying payments and straining relationships between commercial partners.
TIAC Board chairman Godson Nyange said disputes could emerge across the business chain, from small enterprises to major domestic and international companies.
He said prevention should begin with properly prepared contracts that clearly define the rights and obligations of each party.
“There are three stages. First is the contract stage, where we prevent disputes from occurring. The second is when a dispute has already arisen. We go to court or arbitration. This is where the centre becomes particularly important because the benefits of alternative dispute resolution are clear; it saves time and costs,” he said.
Mr Nyange said greater public awareness was needed so that businesses understood that court proceedings were not the only avenue available when commercial disagreements arise.
Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Division at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Felix Chakila, said the government was strengthening systems and procedures to build confidence among domestic and foreign investors as well as businesses.
He said ADR could reduce expenses associated with conventional litigation and allow parties to reach settlements while preserving their commercial relationships.
“For businesses, resolving a dispute does not necessarily have to mean ending the relationship between the parties,” Mr Chakila said.
The Commercial Dispute Resolution Week is being held under the theme: “Building Trust in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Enhancing Efficiency, Accessibility and Innovation in Commercial Dispute Resolution.”
The initiative seeks to increase awareness and use of ADR in Tanzania’s business and investment sectors, as stakeholders push for mechanisms that can resolve commercial disputes without unnecessarily prolonged and costly proceedings.