Legal information, not legal advice. Every jurisdiction page carries its verification status and sources.

Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania

Mixed (common law, customary law, Islamic law)Unitary presidential republic with autonomous ZanzibarReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Dodoma
Population
67,400,000
Languages
Swahili, English
Currency
TZS

Tanzania · Government

Government and administration in Tanzania

How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.

The three branches

Executive — President, Vice-President and Prime Minister
Five-year term, renewable once.
Legislative — National Assembly
Unicameral; includes members from Zanzibar for Union matters.
Judicial — Court of Appeal, High Courts
Judicial Service Commission advises on appointments.
Autonomous — Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar
President, House of Representatives and separate judiciary.

How legislation is made

Bills are read three times with committee scrutiny in the National Assembly. Bills affecting Zanzibar's Union interests require particular majorities. The President assents; a returned bill passed again by two-thirds must be assented to or the Assembly dissolved.

Enforcement institutions

Tanzania Police Force
National police service.
Director of Public Prosecutions
Directs criminal prosecutions under the National Prosecutions Service.
PCCB
Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau.

Government bodies and regulators

Found something out of date on Tanzania · Government?

Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.

Report a correction