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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 · Legislation

Legislation and primary sources

Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Tanzania, and how to confirm it is still in force.

Sources of law, ranked

Union Constitution
Supreme; Zanzibar has its own constitution for non-Union matters.
Acts of Parliament
Union legislation; Zanzibar Acts for non-Union matters.
Received common law
English common law and equity as locally developed.
Customary law
Applied under the Customary Law Declaration Orders.
Islamic law
Applied in personal status for Muslims, particularly in Zanzibar.

The legislative process

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.

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