ACCESS TO LAND BY FOREIGN INVESTORS IN TANZANIA

Abstract

Context and background Availability and accessibility of suitable land are crucial factors for attracting and sustaining land-based investment. Access to land has become a significant concern across various regions and countries in the 21st century, As the world's population continues to grow, so does the demand for land to accommodate urbanization and land-based investment as agriculture and industrial development increases. This escalating pressure on land resources poses numerous challenges, such as overlapping land claims, and conflicts over land rights. In response, different societies have developed a myriad of strategies to gain access to land, influenced by diverse legal, and socio-economic factors. Goal and Objectives: The study aims to analyze current strategies used, impacts and determine the optimal strategy that meets the needs of investors and local communities. Methodology: A Mixed-methods approach was adopted, where both interviews and questionnaires were used. A total of 96 questionnaires were distributed to investors and local people but only 79 qualified responses were good for analysis of this study. The response rate obtained on the distributed questionnaire was 82% of the target population. This sample was obtained using non-probability sampling techniques whereby both snowball and purposive sampling were adopted for the selected sample. Results: Findings reveal that strategies observed were leasing (54%), encompassing individual land leases and government-allocated leases through (TIC). Land purchases constituted 34% while joint ventures accounted for 8%. Likert scale responses highlighted the negative impacts of the strategies, with 90% of participants strongly agreeing that purchasing and leasing led to conflicts, insecurity of tenure, and land grabbing. Similarly, 69% agreed that government allocation resulted in unfair compensation and competition over land resources, favoring investors and leaving limited resources for local communities. Additionally, the analysis reveals that leasing under government allocation is the optimal land access strategy. The study suggests that legal reforms, enhancement of transparency, and equitable land governance systems that prioritize the community's participation in land management. Keywords Land accessibility, land-based investment, Foreign investors, local community strategies, Impacts, Tanzania