How OCPD lays legal foundation for implementation of Dira 2050

DODOMA: National development is not limited to having good policies, ambitious plans or a vision with ambitious goals. Behind every intended development step, there is one important foundation that enables the Government to take action legally, systematically and accountably.

A vision can outline the Tanzania that is intended to be built, a policy can provide direction on how to achieve those goals, and plans can set out the steps that need to be taken. However, without a robust legal framework that keeps pace with the times, those goals may remain on paper instead of being transformed into tangible results in the lives of citizens.

This is where the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman (OCPD) plays an important role in achieving that goal for the Government and society at large.

Through the preparation and improvement of laws, the Office participates in establishing a legal foundation that enables the Government to implement its policies, plans and strategies in an environment that is changing economically, socially and technologically.

The role of the OCPD in this process is to translate policy visions and aspirations into legal language so that they can be implemented.

Speaking about the laws and these changes, Chief Parliamentary Draftsman Onorius Njole said that, as part of continued efforts to strengthen the legal framework to align it with the country’s policy direction, between January and July 2026, the OCPD, in collaboration with various Ministries and Government institutions, prepared seven (7) Bills aimed at enacting new laws and making improvements to existing legislation.

The Bills covered various areas of importance to national development, including expanding access to credit, trade and investment, agriculture, taxation, land, natural resources, air transport, criminal justice, local government and the use of public funds. All the Bills were passed during the Fourth Session of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, which concluded on September 4, 2026.

He said one of the laws is the Movable Property Security Rights Act, 2026, which establishes a legal framework allowing movable assets to be used as collateral for loans and establishes a registry for registering interests in such assets.

“This step is important in expanding financial opportunities for people and businesses that may not have immovable assets that are readily accepted as collateral. Therefore, recognising movable assets can broaden the range of assets that can be used to access capital, thereby enabling businesses to expand their operations, production and investment, as well as creating employment opportunities,” Mr Njole explained.

He added: “In an environment where businesses and the economy continue to change, laws cannot remain static. Through the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2026, Parliament made amendments to 18 laws, some of which aimed to increase transparency in business activities and strengthen the fight against financial crimes.”

“These amendments have also affected the air transport sector, where the system for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents has been improved to legally recognise the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit. Provisions on the independence of investigations, protection of sensitive information and conflict of interest are aimed at strengthening air transport safety and aligning Tanzania’s system with international standards,” Mr Njole explained.

In the criminal justice system, the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman said the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. 20, had been amended to remove barriers that could delay the initiation of criminal proceedings where a matter has a civil or administrative aspect in employment-related cases.

The objective is to ensure that criminal offences are addressed in a timely manner and that justice is not delayed.

Mr Njole further explained that, to strengthen the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society, the Prisons Act had been amended to recognise education, vocational training, spiritual services and other forms of support as part of efforts to help prisoners who complete their sentences return to society.

Acting Director of the Directorate of Legislative Drafting at the OCPD, Ms Chresencia Mathayo, said that in the agricultural sector, which plays an important role in Tanzania’s development, the laws had been aligned to support increased productivity, institutional efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural produce.

She said the Agriculture Laws (Amendments) Act, 2026, had amended laws relating to food security, sisal, sugar and tea.

“These changes aim to strengthen regulatory authorities, improve the resolution of disputes between farmers and traders, and reduce overlapping institutional responsibilities. In that direction, the Tea Development Agency has been abolished, with its functions now being carried out by the Tea Board, a move aimed at reducing Government operational costs and increasing efficiency,” Ms Mathayo explained.

She added that another measure was the repeal of the Pyrethrum Industry Act, Cap. 376, with the functions of the Pyrethrum Board, which had been established under the Act, transferred to the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA), together with the Board’s assets, liabilities and employees.

The objective is to reduce the number of institutions performing similar functions, strengthen coordination and improve efficiency in the use of public resources.

She added that changes to the legal framework had also covered land, natural resources and the investment environment, where the Land Use Planning Act had been amended to strengthen cooperation between the Commission and other land-use planning authorities and reduce overlapping responsibilities.

Penalties had also been revised to reflect current circumstances and improve compliance with the law.

The director explained that, in the area of natural resources, the amendments were intended to create a better investment environment by expanding the scope of areas where disputes relating to the extraction, harvesting, acquisition or use of property and natural resources may be heard, subject to agreement between the parties.

Speaking about changes in local government administration, Ms Mathayo said the amendments were aimed at aligning the tenure of office of deputy leaders, including Vice-Chairpersons and Deputy Mayors, with that of the respective principal leaders, a move intended to strengthen accountability and continuity in leadership.

On wildlife conservation, Ms Mathayo explained that the amendments proposed removing livestock from the category of property that may be confiscated after a person is convicted of an offence under the law.

“The Valuation Act has also been amended to increase transparency, ensure the proper application of valuation principles and ensure that professional activities are carried out by people who are registered or recognised in accordance with the law,” Ms Mathayo explained.

She added: “On the economic and budget implementation side, the Finance Act, 2026, amended 26 tax and non-tax laws. The changes cover certain taxes, levies and fees, as well as measures to strengthen revenue collection and management and improve the business environment.”

The Director of Legislative Drafting said the amendments also aimed to stimulate economic growth in strategic sectors, including industry, agriculture, energy and health.

“These improvements convey a broader message about the role of law in national development. Good laws should provide certainty, protect rights, ensure accountability, remove unnecessary barriers and create opportunities for development.

“Therefore, the Bills handled between January and July 2026 are more than amendments to provisions of the law. They are part of the journey towards building a legal framework that responds to Tanzania’s current needs and lays the foundation for the Tanzania that is intended to be built in the coming decades,” Ms Chresencia said.

During the Fourth Session of the 13th Parliament, Attorney General (AG) Hamza Johari presented the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2026. The proposed amendments initially targeted 21 laws. He also presented the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill, 2026, for debate and passage through the Second and Third Reading stages, after which the proposed amendments would become part of the laws of the country.

During his presentations, the AG acknowledged role played by the OCPD office in the preparations of the proposed amendments and emphasised that the Government would continue reviewing and improving laws to ensure that the Dira 2050, which was passed by the National Assembly, is properly implemented.

The Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2026, which was before the august House, proposed amendments to 21 laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap. 423.

In the initial proposal, the AG proposed amendments to the following laws: the Atomic Energy Act, Cap. 188; the Bank of Tanzania Act, Cap. 197; the Business Names (Registration) Act, Cap. 213; the Civil Aviation Act, Cap. 80; the Companies Act, Cap. 212; the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. 20; and the Drug Control and Enforcement Act, Cap. 95.

Other laws were the Rural Development Planning Institute Act, Cap. 174; the Institute of Accountancy Arusha Act, Cap. 240; the Interpretation of Laws Act, Cap. 1; the Judicial Administration Act, Cap. 237; the National Youth Council Act, Cap. 441; the Patents Act, Cap. 217; and the Prisons Act, Cap. 58.

Other laws included the Private Health Laboratories Management Act, Cap. 136; the Tanzania Library Services Act, Cap. 102; the Tanzania Tourist Board Act, Cap. 364; the Tourism Act, Cap. 65; the Trade and Service Marks Act, Cap. 326; and the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. 148.

The AG also tabled the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill, 2026, for debate and passage through the Second and Third Reading stages, after which the proposed amendments would become part of the laws of the country.

The Bill contained seven laws, namely the Land Use Planning Act, Cap. 116; the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, Cap. 287; the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act, Cap. 288; the National Security Council Act, Cap. 61; the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act, Cap. 449; the Valuation and Valuers Registration Act, Cap. 138; and the Wildlife Conservation Act, Cap. 283.