Tanzania: Ways to improve the proposed special status for the diaspora
Published: 8/Jan/2025
Source: The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
By Richard Mshomba
What you need to know:
- A special status that is not permanent creates an element of uncertainty which would make potential investors refrain from long-term investments.
Tanzania is one of a handful of African countries that fully restricts dual citizenship.
However, two months ago, the government “proposed amendments to its law so as to introduce a ‘special status’ to citizens of other countries with Tanzanian roots” (The Citizen, November 11, 2024).
The main motivation behind that proposed bill, if not the only one, is to attract investment from, and economic engagement by, the diaspora.
To fully achieve that goal, short of allowing dual citizenship, the proposed bill needs improvement.
The bill focuses on Tanzanians who have lost their Tanzanian citizenship after acquiring citizenship of other countries.
If the proposed bill is approved, those former Tanzanian citizens who apply and receive special status would be granted the right to (a) enter Tanzania without a visa, (b) own property and engage in social and economic activities in Tanzania without a citizenship requirement, (c) apply for some form of a special status for their spouses and children, and (d) bequeath their property to their descendants.
When granted, the special status is good for only 10 years, but renewable.
While the special status is better than nothing, there are two main ways the proposed bill can be improved. First, make the special status lifelong.
Second, don’t require Tanzanians abroad first to lose their Tanzanian citizenship before their spouses and children who are not Tanzanians can be eligible for some special status.
Read further: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/oped/ways-to-improve-the-proposed-special-status-for-the-diaspora-4882234