Full Breakdown
Villagers in Tanzania File Grievance Against World Bank Over REGROW Project
3/5/2026, 12:06:55 AM
Background on the REGROW Project
The World Bank's Resilient Natural Resources Management for Tourism and Growth (REGROW) project was initiated with a funding of over $100 million aimed at expanding protected environmental areas and enhancing tourism in Tanzania. The project, which doubled the size of Ruaha National Park, was ultimately cancelled in November 2024 following serious allegations of human rights abuses, including forced evictions and extrajudicial killings, committed by Tanzanian wildlife rangers involved in the initiative.
Villagers' Grievance and Ongoing Issues
On February 2, 2026, villagers from Mbarali District filed a formal complaint with the World Bank’s Grievance Redress Service, represented by the Oakland Institute. The complaint highlights the Bank's failure to adequately address the harms inflicted by the REGROW project, which continues to impact over 84,000 individuals. Despite the cancellation of REGROW, reports indicate that local communities are still facing violence and restrictions on their livelihoods, with park rangers allegedly killing two villagers recently.
Official Responses and Action Plans
In April 2025, the World Bank released an Action Plan intended to provide relief to affected communities. This plan included commitments to halt forced resettlements and allow the resumption of farming and pastoral activities. However, the Oakland Institute asserts that these measures have not been effectively implemented, with ongoing restrictions and violence contradicting the Bank's assurances. Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute, emphasized that the situation has worsened, stating, “Despite the findings of the Inspection Panel... impacted villagers... cannot live on their lands and farm or graze their cattle without risking death at the hands of park rangers.”
Criticism of the World Bank's Efforts
Critics, including 11 UN Special Rapporteurs, have raised concerns that the World Bank's new projects, such as the $110 million Scaling-up Locally Led Climate Action Program (SCALE) and the $2.8 million project for nature-based solutions, do not adequately address the needs of the impacted communities. The proposed livelihood activities are deemed insufficient to remedy the harms caused by REGROW. Furthermore, the Tanzanian government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, announced plans to evict tens of thousands of people from five villages, directly contradicting the Bank's commitments.
Conclusion and Calls for Action
The Oakland Institute's grievance filing reflects the desperation of communities seeking justice and accountability from the World Bank. They demand respect for the original borders of Ruaha National Park, the lifting of livelihood restrictions, and comprehensive reparations for victims. Mittal concluded, “As Tanzania’s largest donor, [the World Bank] has the means and the leverage to end this harm and repair the devastation of lives it is responsible for.” The situation underscores the urgent need for the World Bank to fulfill its obligations and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities affected by its projects.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Despite the findings of the Inspection Panel, which led to the cancellation of the project and an Action Plan to redress devastation that the World Bank unleashed, impacted villagers – even today – cannot live on their lands and farm or graze their cattle without risking death at the hands of park rangers. The plan at best makes a mockery of the Bank’s so-called commitment to remedy harms its financing caused. Communities deserve justice and the Bank should be held accountable,” — Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director, Oakland Institute
- “as Tanzania’s largest donor, [the World Bank] has the means and the leverage to end this harm and repair the devastation of lives it is responsible for.” — Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director, Oakland Institute
