Tanzania Country Report

Tanzania is a developing country located in eastern Africa on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The country, particularly the mainland, has enjoyed relative political stability since independence through the domination of the ruling CCM party, although the island of Zanzibar has been prone to persistent political tensions that have fuelled sporadic outbreaks of violence and unrest. The Tanzanian economy is primarily dependent on agriculture, although the mining and oil and gas sectors have played an increasingly larger role in recent years as the government seeks to bring in foreign investment and privatize former nationalized industries. Corruption remains an impediment to growth, as anti-graft programs launched by the government have had relatively little impact.

The primary threats to travelers include violent and petty criminal activity, civil unrest, health hazards and a dangerous driving environment. Despite ongoing government programs to improve infrastructure, roads in many rural areas continue to be poorly maintained and utilities provision remains concentrated in urban centers. Tanzania has not seen any significant terrorist attacks in recent years but there have been persistent concerns over the potential for low-level militancy and political violence in some areas, particularly on Zanzibar and in the Pwani coastal region.

Violent and petty crime is relatively common in Tanzania and foreign travelers are often targeted due to their perceived relative wealth. Islamic State (IS) fighters in Mozambique staged their first claimed attack into Southern Tanzania, in Kitaya, Mitwara province in October 2020. Mtwara borders Palma district in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, which is the base of the group known as the Islamic State in Central Africa Province (ISCAP). Despite this attack, ISCAP has been slower to gain traction in Tanzania and the risk to foreign travelers remains low.

The conflict risk in the country is also low, with Dodoma generally maintaining good relations with its immediate neighbors. Unrest driven by a variety of socio-economic and political developments occurs sporadically in the country, particularly in the main urban centers. For the most part, these gatherings are peaceful, although there is a credible risk of localized violence during political demonstrations which may be aggressively dispersed by security forces.

There are no significant safety concerns regarding air travel and airport facilities in Tanzania, although domestic air travel on some routes may utilize light aircraft.

Road conditions are generally poor outside of major urban centers and the driving standards of some local road users can be erratic, leading to a heightened risk associated with overland travel in the country.

The Port of Dar es Salaam has improved in efficiency over the years.

Electricity and telecommunications infrastructure is generally adequate in major urban centers, although outages and load-shedding can be frequent. Service provision is significantly more limited in rural areas.

The country is considered both an unlikely sponsor of and unlikely target for cyber attacks.

Tanzania is located in a seismically active region and experiences occasional earthquakes. These are typically of moderate intensity but can cause damage and casualties if striking close to major urban centers. The country also has several active volcanoes, although these are located in remote areas. Storm systems present a limited threat in Tanzania, although periods of prolonged heavy rainfall have the potential to generate flooding. Extreme heat is also a threat in Tanzania, particularly in northern arid regions. Limited compliance with, and awareness of health and safety standards, as well as poor waste management, have resulted in air, water and ground pollution, particularly in urban centers.

Medical facilities are limited in Tanzania, with the majority of reputable hospitals and clinics concentrated in urban areas. Serious injuries or medical cases may require evacuation to another country with more advanced medical facilities. The availability of pharmaceuticals in the country is limited, with available supplies often of being of inferior quality or counterfeit. Access to medication outside of urban centers is generally limited. Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases pose a year-round risk in Tanzania. The country is also prone to frequent cholera outbreaks, although most cases are concentrated in low-income and rural areas. Other insect-borne diseases include dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis in rural areas like the Tarangire and Serengeti national parks and Rift Valley fever in northern and central areas of the country. Water contamination and associated sanitation issues pose a serious risk for travelers and tap water is not considered potable.

Tanzania enjoys a stable political environment through the continued domination of the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Despite the reelection of incumbent President John Magufuli in the tensed October 2020 presidential elections, support for the party has been declining in recent years due to the sustained pressure and critics from an invigorated opposition. Magufuli’s death on March 17, 2021, has led to Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s swearing-in as the new president. President Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli's five-year presidential term until elections are held in 2025. Magufuli's death raises questions about whether President Hassan will change course or maintain her predecessor's authoritarian track. Corruption is systemic in Tanzania; the issue is expected to persist despite the presidential change. Despite improvements, rule of law does not always prevail in Tanzania, due to an underfunded and corrupt judiciary.