The Efficacy of Regulatory Frameworks in Fostering Involuntary Resettlement in Tanzania: A Case Study of the Standard Gauge Railway

Abstract

Involuntary resettlement from large-scale development projects often devastates the livelihoods of affected populations. This article examines the effectiveness of Tanzania’s regulatory frameworks in promoting equitable and sustainable resettlement, using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project as a case study. Guided by Rawls’ theory of social justice and the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), the study employs a mixed-methods approach, analysing primary data from 10 key informant interviews; and secondary data from policy documents and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) reports. Using the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standard 5 (PS5) as a benchmark, the findings reveal a critical gap: Tanzania lacks a specific, comprehensive policy governing involuntary resettlement. This absence leads to inconsistent applications of international standards, which are primarily applied only when required by donors like the IFC. Consequently, the SGR project exhibited significant deficiencies in stakeholder consultation, disclosure, grievance mechanisms, livelihood restoration, and compensation based on replacement costs: all violating the principles of social justice and FPIC. The study concludes that the current framework fails to protect project-affected persons (PAPs); and recommends an urgent establishment of a national resettlement policy framework that legally mandates PS5–aligned RAPs, replacement-cost compensation, and independent monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes.