World Bank pauses $150m funding for Tanzanian tourism project

The World Bank has decided to halt a $150 million funding for a Tanzanian tourism project, responding to long-standing appeals from the Oakland Institute, a US-based rights group, Associated Press (AP) reported on Tuesday.

Initiated in 2017, the project aimed to enhance natural resource management and tourism in southern Tanzania but drew criticism for adverse effects on local communities. Over $100 million had already been dispersed.

Oakland Institute, focusing on marginalised groups, highlighted abuses in its report, linking them to the World Bank-funded REGROW project, especially in Ruaha National Park expansion.

The World Bank, acknowledging the issue, suspended further disbursements pending environmental and social standards review.

Anuradha Mittal, Oakland Institute’s executive director, hailed the decision as a victory against Tanzanian rights abuses.

Tanzanian authorities have not yet commented.

The Oakland Institute reported ranger-led disappearances, assaults, and cattle seizures, causing livelihood crises. Tanzania, reliant on tourism revenue, faces scrutiny over rights violations in park development initiatives, exemplified by Maasai evictions in Loliondo.