Focus on Land in Africa: Tanzania Lesson Brief, Village Land
Focus on Land in Africa: Tanzania Lesson Brief, Village Land
Resource information
Date of publication
January 2011
This lesson brief looks at the history of customary land rights and examines the current conditions regarding Village Land and customary tenure arrangements in Tanzania. It is part of the Focus on Land in Africa: Land Tenure and Property Rights interactive online educational tool. In 1999, Tanzania enacted the Village Land Act and the Land Act which recognize customary tenure and empower village governments to manage Village Land. These laws are a marked departure from the Land Ordinance of 1923, yet many villagers and communities still do not have security in their customary land. The laws have not been effectively implemented and enforced, leaving some community advocates to call for reform.
