Date of publication:
01/08/2026
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies allow forcibly displaced and stateless persons to own, lease, rent or inherit housing and land?
Assessment by population
Analysis
In Tanzania, domestic laws and policies do not explicitly grant forcibly displaced or stateless persons the right to acquire, own, or transfer movable and immovable property. The legal framework—primarily the Refugees Act of 1998 and the National Refugee Policy—focuses on the regulation and control of refugee presence rather than the protection or promotion of socio-economic rights such as property ownership. There are no specific provisions that recognize or facilitate access to land, housing, or other forms of property for refugees or stateless individuals.
In practice, property ownership in Tanzania is closely tied to citizenship or recognized legal status, with most legal pathways to acquiring land or real estate restricted to nationals or long-term residents. This legal gap means that forcibly displaced persons are often excluded from formal property markets and unable to secure land titles, leases, or asset registration in their own names. As a result, many rely on informal or third-party arrangements, which offer little legal protection and are vulnerable to disputes, exploitation, or eviction. This lack of legal recognition significantly undermines the ability of refugees and stateless persons to establish durable livelihoods and achieve long-term stability in the country.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Land Act
- Year: 1999
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Housing, land & property
- Link to external source: https://procedures.tic.go.tz/media/The%20Land%20Act%201999.%20Cap%20113.pdf
Legal provision
Section 20 - Restrictions on Transfer of Land to Non-Citizens
A non-citizen shall not be allocated or granted land unless it is for investment purposes under the Tanzania Investment Act.