Tanzania Enabling Environment Snapshot

Although the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania guarantees freedoms of expression, assembly, and association under Articles 18 and 20, the civic and political environment has become increasingly restrictive in recent years. These constitutional rights have been significantly tested in the period surrounding the October 2025 general elections, during which state actions raised serious concerns on human rights, democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.

The pre- and post-election 2025 period was marked by a pattern of enforced disappearances, unexplained killings, mass arrests, and the suppression of dissent. High-profile incidents including the disappearance of former Ambassador Humphrey Polepole, the killing of four young men in the Coast Region, and the arrest of opposition leader John Heche, highlighted a climate of fear and impunity. At the same time, civil society organisations (CSOs), journalists, and human rights defenders faced harassment, surveillance, and regulatory pressure, including the suspension of online platforms and intimidation of legal advocacy groups such as the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC).

The regulatory framework governing CSOs, particularly the NGO Act of 2002, concentrates significant discretionary power in politically appointed bodies, raising concerns about political interference. Financially, CSOs remain heavily dependent on foreign funding, which accounts for the majority of their resources, while regulatory delays and donor funding suspensions have disrupted operations, reduced staffing, and weakened service delivery. Despite being formally consulted in policy processes, CSO contributions are rarely reflected in final decisions, underscoring the largely procedural nature of stakeholder engagement.

Media freedom and digital rights have also deteriorated. The first nationwide internet shutdown in Tanzania’s history during the 2025 elections, coupled with threats to ban social media platforms and restrictions on activist accounts, illustrate growing state control over information. While recent reforms such as the Personal Data Protection Act offer some safeguards, enforcement remains limited within an increasingly constrained civic space.

Collectively, these developments point to a narrowing democratic environment, where constitutional guarantees exist in law but are inconsistently upheld in practice, placing civil society, independent media, and citizens at heightened risk.

Reporting period covered: August 2025 – December 2025