MWE Correspondent
The Government of Tanzania has proposed a Sh164.14 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, focusing on modernising the country’s land management systems, boosting affordable housing, and enhancing access to land rights.
The budget request was tabled in the National Assembly by the Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Deogratius Ndejembi, during a session in Dodoma. The proposed allocation is expected to fast-track key programmes that will benefit both urban and rural communities.
“This budget aims to transform how Tanzanians interact with land. It is about equity, growth, and digital access,” said Minister Ndejembi, emphasising the ministry’s commitment to deliver secure tenure for all.
A central pillar of the proposal is to speed up land planning, surveying, titling, and registration services. These processes are crucial in resolving historical ownership disputes and enabling Tanzanians to use land as an economic asset.
The ministry will also strengthen the Integrated Land Management Information System (ILMIS), which plays a vital role in digitising land records, streamlining ownership verification, and improving transparency. Enhanced digital systems are expected to cut bureaucracy, reduce corruption, and improve government revenue collection.
In a country where many disputes arise over land ownership, the ministry is also committing more resources to District Land and Housing Tribunals. These administrative bodies help resolve conflicts quickly and reduce the burden on the court system.
The budget will further support the construction and promotion of affordable housing, particularly in urban centres where informal settlements have mushroomed due to rapid urbanisation. A key aim is to ensure decent housing for low-income earners and civil servants.
In addition, the ministry plans to upgrade and develop human settlements and improve infrastructure in border towns and newly emerging growth areas. These include roads, utilities, and access to clean water—essentials for both social and economic development.
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To improve national planning, the government will also update outdated topographical maps, many of which were last reviewed in the 1970s. These maps are vital for agriculture, infrastructure, conservation, and urban development.
Moreover, the budget outlines plans to strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure that all projects are tracked for performance, quality, and value for money. This is in line with broader governance reforms to enhance transparency and accountability across public institutions.
The proposal reflects the government’s ambition to address land pressures caused by population growth and rural-to-urban migration, both of which continue to reshape the country’s physical and economic landscape.
If Parliament approves the Sh164 billion package, it could mark a turning point in how Tanzania manages its land and housing needs—bringing lasting improvements to citizens’ lives and advancing national development goals.
