About the Unit
The Natural Wealth and Resources Observatory Unit is one of the strategic units of the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, mandated to coordinate and oversee the legal management of natural wealth and resources of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Unit carries out its functions in accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, national policies, laws and the broader national interest — in particular the Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Wealth and Resources Act, Cap. 449, and the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) and Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act, Cap. 450.
Through the implementation of Cap. 449, the Unit gives effect to the Government's commitment to protect and advance the permanent sovereignty of the people over the country's natural wealth and resources. In discharging this mandate, it oversees the implementation of the legal principles that safeguard national resources against use or transfer that does not serve the country's interests, while promoting domestic value addition, sustainable use of resources, and ensuring that citizens appropriately benefit from the economic and social development derived from such wealth.
Under Cap. 450, the Unit coordinates, monitors, and conducts legal analysis of contracts relating to natural wealth and resources with the aim of identifying and addressing terms that are unfavourable to the Nation. It also coordinates the review and renegotiation of such contracts to ensure they uphold national sovereignty, comply with Parliament's mandate to review contracts, and strike an appropriate balance between attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and protecting Tanzania's long-term national interests.
Furthermore, the Unit coordinates and monitors the implementation of policies, laws, strategies and guidelines governing the management of various natural resources, including minerals, oil and natural gas, forests, wildlife, fisheries, land, water resources, marine resources, and other biological and environmental resources. It also conducts legal and policy analysis, strengthens coordination and collaboration among Government institutions and various stakeholders, and provides legal advice to the Government to ensure that natural wealth and resources are managed transparently, accountably, and on the basis of sustainable development.
Through the execution of these functions, the Unit contributes to strengthening good governance in the natural wealth and resources sector, protecting the strategic interests of the Nation, preventing the misuse of resources and loss of government revenue, and ensuring that natural wealth and resources are utilised for the benefit of both the present and future generations.
Contact
Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 315, 40484 Dodoma
📞 +255 26 2310056
🌐 www.sheria.go.tz