Tanzania Calls for Study on Dedicated E-Commerce Law to Protect Digital Trade

The Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr. Juma Homera, has directed the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania to conduct research on the establishment of a dedicated E-Commerce Law aimed at creating a safe, friendly and certain legal environment for digital business and investment.

Dr. Homera issued the directive on 2 September 2026 in Dar es Salaam during a meeting to review progress on legal reforms intended to create an enabling environment for the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.

The meeting brought together the Minister and the Executive Secretary of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, George Nathaniel Mandepo.

Homera framed the initiative as a response to shifts in technology and the rapid expansion of online commerce.

“Due to changes in technology, the growth of the digital economy and the increase in online business, there is now a need to have a legal framework that aligns with the current and anticipated environment of the digital economy,” said Homera.

He tasked the Commission with producing recommendations that would allow the Government to reach a decision.

“Alongside other steps being taken by the Government to strengthen the digital economy, you should begin conducting research and submitting recommendations that will enable the Government to make policy and legal decisions on the need to enact a specific E-Commerce Law or to make appropriate improvements to existing laws,” he added.

Homera stated that the study is expected to analyse existing laws, identify legal challenges, and draw comparisons with legal frameworks and experiences of other countries in regulating online commerce.

He noted that the research is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen a legal system that keeps pace with technological change and supports the growth of business and the digital economy across all sectors, including agricultural trade.

The priority areas expected to be covered by the study include electronic contracts, consumer protection, regulation of digital platforms, electronic payments, personal data protection, transaction security, intellectual property, taxation, competition and the resolution of online commerce disputes.

Tanzania E-Commerce Regulation

Tanzania currently regulates online commerce mainly through general statutes rather than a dedicated e-commerce law, chiefly the Electronic Transactions Act, 2022, alongside consumer-protection provisions in the Fair Competition Act, which was amended in 2024.

Legal researchers have noted that this framework lacks specific mechanisms for newer digital harms, pointing to the friction between the Electronic Transactions Act, 2022, and the Fair Competition Act (Amendment) 2024.

The Fair Competition Commission’s 2026 regulatory shift to monitor “dark patterns” and algorithmic price-fixing has been cited as evidence that the current legislative framework lacks a specific E-Consumer Bill of Rights to combat these sophisticated digital harms, with calls for a technologically neutral approach and specialised dispute-resolution mechanisms for digital consumers.

Industry analysts point to structural growth in the country’s digital economy, with the adoption of digital payment systems expanding and online payment systems playing a crucial role in financial inclusion and digital transactions.

Regulatory compliance nonetheless remains challenging, especially for digital businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions, and the fast-paced nature of the digital economy means competition authorities must continuously adapt their approaches to address new business models and technologies.