Does Tanzania allow dual citizenship

Answer 1

Dual citizenship will be included in new constitution debate - minister

18th November 2011

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe has said that Dual Citizenship wibe included in the constitutional debate.

Membe made the remarks on Wednesday when responding to a supplementary question from Special Seats legislator Vicky Kamata (CCM), who wanted to know the steps being taken by the government to allow dual citizenship for Tanzanians living abroad.

In her principal question, the MP had wanted to know the contribution made by Tanzanians residing outside the country in development. She also wanted to know the sectors to which they provided support.

The minister said that African countries, including Tanzania, have been benefiting from people living abroad through remittances. He said that for the past year, a total of USD 40 billion entered Africa through remittances, out of which USD 21.5 billion was for countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the minister, Tanzania received USD 250 million in remittances while some African countries got a lot more. He mentioned them as Nigeria (USD 10 billion), Sudan (USD 3.2 billion), Kenya (USD 1.8 billion) and Senegal USD 1.2 billion).

He said apart from contributing through remittances, Tanzanians living abroad had different professions and were experienced in several sectors of the economy, hence they would make immense contribution if they came back to work in the country.

"We are creating a good environment that will enable them to work in the country. We recognize them and respect their contribution to the country's economic development," he noted.

Elaborating, he said that in the newly launched five-year strategic development plan (1011-2015) the issue of the diaspora had been highlighted and given priority. He said Tanzanians living abroad commanded respect the world over, and if properly utilized them could greatly contribute to their mother country's development.

"These people do not only contribute through remittances and direct jobs, they also bring foreign currency in the country," he said.

He said the CCM government, through its election manifestos in the 2005 and 2010 general elections, had stated clearly that those in diaspora were important for the country's development.