Villagers in Tanzania have filed a formal grievance with the World Bank, alleging that the institution has failed to adequately address harm caused by the now-terminated Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (REGROW) project. The complaint centers on claims of ongoing human rights abuses and a lack of redress for lost livelihoods stemming from the $100 million environmental program, despite assurances from the bank.
The REGROW project, initially approved in September 2017 and cancelled in November 2024, aimed to improve natural resource management and boost tourism in southern Tanzania. However, it quickly became embroiled in controversy following allegations of forced evictions, violence, and the seizure of property by Tanzanian wildlife rangers. The World Bank’s own investigation acknowledged “critical failures” in the planning and supervision of the project, resulting in “serious harm” to local communities.
The Oakland Institute, a California-based think tank advocating for the rights of small farmers and indigenous communities, lodged the complaint with the World Bank’s Grievance Redress Service last month on behalf of affected villagers who remain anonymous due to fears of reprisal. The grievance claims that abuses continue even after the project’s cancellation and the World Bank’s release of an Action Plan in April 2025 intended to provide relief.
World Bank Action Plan Falls Short, Claims Oakland Institute
The World Bank’s Action Plan, released in April 2025, included commitments to halt forced resettlement, ensure continued farming and pastoral activities, and provide livelihood support to affected communities. However, the Oakland Institute asserts that these pledges have not translated into tangible improvements on the ground. The institute alleges that Tanzanian park rangers have killed two more locals and continue to “terrorise communities,” while restrictions on traditional livelihoods remain in place. These claims are supported, according to the Oakland Institute, by findings from United Nations special rapporteurs and working groups.
Adding to the concerns, the Oakland Institute reports that the Tanzanian government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has announced plans to evict residents from five villages, directly contradicting the World Bank’s assurances. These relocations are projected to displace “tens of thousands of people.” President Hassan’s power was solidified in 2023 following an election that was reportedly marred by widespread rights violations.
“As Tanzania’s largest donor, [the World Bank] has the means and the leverage to end this harm and repair the devastation of lives it is responsible for,” stated Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland Institute. The institute’s statement underscores the perceived responsibility of the World Bank to address the ongoing consequences of the REGROW project.
Project History and Suspension
The REGROW project, financed through a $150 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), had four key components: strengthening protected area management, supporting alternative livelihoods, improving landscape management around Ruaha National Park, and project management. The project aimed to improve management of natural resources and tourism assets in southern Tanzania and increase access to alternative livelihood activities for targeted communities. Wildlife-based tourism contributes significantly to Tanzania’s economy, accounting for more than a quarter of the country’s foreign exchange earnings in 2019.
Disbursements under the project were suspended on April 18, 2024, after the government of Tanzania initiated preparatory activities for evictions, violating resettlement-related obligations. This suspension followed a Request for Inspection submitted to the Bank’s Inspection Panel in July 2023, alleging threats of eviction, excessive force, and cattle seizure by TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority). A second request for inspection, with additional information, was submitted in May 2024, highlighting the imminent eviction of households within the park.
Prior to its cancellation, the project had achieved some positive results, including the establishment of 565 Community Conservation Banks (COCOBA) groups with over 11,600 members, and the training of 409 Village Game Scouts who helped manage 513 instances of human-wildlife conflict.
The World Bank approved a Management Action Plan (MAP) in April 2025, outlining preparation for two modern community-driven operations focused on livelihoods and water resource management around Ruaha National Park. These operations are aligned with the World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework with Tanzania and aim to support vulnerable communities through climate resilience efforts and social service provision.
What’s Next?
The World Bank’s response to the Oakland Institute’s grievance and the ongoing allegations of abuse will be closely watched. The situation highlights the complex challenges of balancing conservation efforts with the rights and livelihoods of local communities. Further scrutiny will likely focus on the implementation of the Management Action Plan and whether it effectively addresses the harm caused by the REGROW project. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future World Bank-funded projects in Tanzania and elsewhere.
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