Tanzania is undertaking a significant national initiative to create a new, comprehensive map, directly addressing long-standing land disputes and bolstering border management. This project, launched alongside the 2023 revision of the 1995 National Land Policy, aims to revolutionize land planning and management, providing accurate data to prevent conflicts in urban and rural areas, as well as across international borders.
Land as a Key Resource
President Suluhu Hassan announced the initiative, highlighting a $65 million investment from South Korea to upgrade surveying and mapping infrastructure. She emphasized the map’s crucial role in sustainable land use, efficient planning, and facilitating digital planning for multiple sectors. The project leverages the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) for streamlined mapping and will benefit both government agencies and the private sector, which relies on accurate land data for operations.
President Suluhu Hassan underscored the transformation of the Ministry of Lands from a dispute-resolution body to a central pillar of national development, echoing Julius Nyerere’s vision of land as the cornerstone of national prosperity. She cited a significant budget increase for the land sector, from Sh133.6 billion in 2023 to Sh171.4 billion for 2024/2025, demonstrating the government’s commitment to secure land ownership and effective planning.
Why a New Map is Important
The new mapping system will prevent duplicated land use plans, enabling inter-sectoral coordination to avoid conflicts between infrastructure, industrial, and agricultural projects. It will also facilitate the strategic placement of underground utilities, promoting development while preserving aesthetics. The President stressed the need to modernize outdated land policies to reflect Tanzania’s evolving social and economic landscape, including addressing gender biases and promoting sustainable practices in areas like the blue economy.
The Mapping Project: Funding for the Future
Further bolstering the initiative, the government has secured an additional $114 million in funding, including $49 million from the World Bank for enhancing land ownership security. Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Minister Deogratius Ndejembi set a 2030 completion target for the surveying process, noting the importance of efficient land management in the context of Tanzania’s rapidly growing population (from 9 million in 1961 to over 68 million in 2025). The new system will categorize land into reserved, government-owned, and citizen-designated parcels. This comprehensive approach, encompassing both a new national map and updated land policies, is poised to significantly contribute to Tanzania’s sustainable development.
