Transforming Access to Legal Information in Tanzania
Introduction
The cornerstone of robust legal systems and economic development lies in the accessibility of legal information. Laws.Africa and AfricanLII, under the umbrella Open Law Africa programme, are at the forefront of this transformative journey, pioneering the digitalization of legal texts across the continent.
Project Overview
TanzLII, launched in 2018, is a collaborative initiative led by AfricanLII and Laws.Africa, with significant contributions from various Tanzanian legal entities and development partners. This ambitious project aims to digitise and publish Tanzania's legislation and case law, and democratising access to legal information for everyone.
Impact on Legal Research and Economic Development
The digital availability of laws and case law on TanzLII's website empowers citizens, legal professionals, academics, and students with comprehensive legal research tools. This accessibility is not just a legal advantage but also a cornerstone for economic growth locally, regionally, and internationally.
Key Partnerships and Support
2023 witnessed a landmark in Tanzania's legal digitization efforts, as key governmental bodies - the Tanzania Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Law Reform Commission - joined forces in a significant collaboration. This partnership, expertly facilitated by AfricanLII and Laws.Africa, with support from the GIZ's "Promotion of the Rule of Law and Judiciary" regional project, underscores a national movement towards enhanced legal accessibility. The Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania (MoCLA), with former Minister Dr. Ndumbaro's strong endorsement, has been instrumental in this initiative, reflecting a categorical government commitment to ensuring public access to legal information through the provision of vital resources, technology, and specialised expertise.
GIZ's Contributions
The GIZ is making extensive and much-needed contributions to this project in the form of:
Equipment for digitization and publication processes
Funding for scanning historical legal documents
Facilitating knowledge transfer and training with Laws.Africa and AfricanLII
Investing in Laws.Africa’s development of African legal technology for comprehensive research platforms
Supporting Laws.Africa in developing and applying AI for insights from legal data to enhance Tanzania's legal system
Promoting regional collaboration for sustainable legal information development
Other stakeholders and development partners
The initiative has attracted the attention of other stakeholders from the governmental and justice sectors of Tanzania. Development partners see the immediate and immense value of digital law in supporting a wide range of substantive reform projects, such as criminal justice support and reform, environmental protection, and supporting the rights of women and children.
TanzLII's Impact and Future Prospects
TanzLII is a significant milestone in legal information accessibility, widely used by thousands monthly. It exemplifies successful regional cooperation, promising to transform the legal landscape in Tanzania and the broader East African Community.
