Experiences of private firms in delivering land services in peri-urban areas in Tanzania

Demand for land planning and surveying services has increased significantly over the years in Tanzania and as a result, the public sector has not been able to cope. Private firms have therefore emerged to provide land use planning and surveying services for landholders in peri-urban areas, most of whom have accessed land through the informal sector. This paper explores the experiences of private firms in delivering land use planning and surveying services in peri-urban areas of Dar es Salaam City. Using a case study approach involving in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis, the study reveals that private firms face legal, policy and technical obstacles in land service delivery. Despite these challenges, private firms have been instrumental in facilitating the regularisation of informally accessed land. Supportive policies and other institutional reforms are deemed necessary to improve the delivery of land services and strengthen the participation of private firms.