What was REGROW?

Tanzania's Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth project, 'REGROW', financed through a $150 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), was approved in September 2017 and cancelled in November 2024. The project's development objectives were to improve the management of natural resources and tourism assets in priority areas of southern Tanzania and to increase access to alternative livelihood activities for targeted communities. Wildlife-based tourism is a major component of Tanzania's economy, contributing more than one quarter of the country's foreign exchange earnings in 2019.

REGROW had four components: strengthening management and improving infrastructure in priority protected areas; strengthening alternative livelihoods for targeted communities in proximity to the priority protected areas; strengthening landscape management and infrastructure investments in and upstream of the Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA or 'the Park'); and project management.

The following as some key results that the project achieved:

Livelihoods and job creation

• The Community Conservation Banks (COCOBA) initiative made significant progress, establishing 565 groups with a total of 11,633 members, of which 7,802 are female. At the time of the Project closure, these groups were implementing 153 livelihood projects, about half of which were crop farming/horticulture projects, and about 15% livestock keeping projects. COCOBA members received training in financial management, record keeping and business development skills among others, improving their ability to start and manage their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

• 409 Village Game Scouts completed their training and helped manage 513 incidences of human-wildlife conflict in 40 villages. They also conducted 135 conservation awareness meetings for communities living near the national parks. 60 of them got employed by institutions such as the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority and district councils.

• 1,050 students from 60 villages received scholarships under the project, 40% of whom were girls, and earned degrees in tourism, conservation, and other sectors, improving their employability.

Infrastructure and Water Management

• The project financed infrastructure that underpins wildlife research and tourism, such as airstrips, hostels for students, administrative office buildings, and the procurement of equipment, such as loaders, to be used for the maintenance of this infrastructure.

• REGROW helped rehabilitate irrigation systems to encourage more efficient use of water by the communities. The most advanced scheme at Madibira generated direct employment for 407 people and has helped 3,200 farmers improve productivity.

The Complaints

On July 20, 2023, the Inspection Panel- an independent mechanism for people and communities who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by World Bank-funded projects- registered a request for inspection regarding REGROW. The request was submitted by two individuals residing in the vicinity of RUNAPA.

The complaint alleged the eviction of residents from villages within RUNAPA, along with reports of excessive use of force and cattle seizures by Park authorities. These actions raised concerns about REGROW's compliance with the World Bank's policies.

On April 18, 2024, the World Bank suspended disbursements under REGROW because the Government had initiated preparatory activities for the resettlement of communities residing within RUNAPA without following the requirements of the project's Resettlement Policy Framework. In addition, the World Bank noted shortcomings in the establishment of an adequate grievance redress mechanism and the need for a system to report on incidents in the project area. The Project was subsequently cancelled on November 6, 2024, at the request of the Government.

On May 3, 2024, while disbursements were suspended, the Panel received a second request from the same individuals. The request included new information that reportedly indicated the imminent eviction of households within the Park.

What did the Inspection Panel find when it investigated these complaints?

The Panel completed its investigation into REGROW in September 2024 and shared its investigation report with the Requesters to enable them to participate in Management-led consultations on corrective actions. The Panel's investigation found the World Bank had not complied fully with several Bank policies. While the Panel did not find evidence of involuntary physical relocation, it noted that the World Bank had not adequately identified and addressed risks related to the potential resettlement of communities remaining inside the project area; conflicts resulting from the enforcement of park access restrictions; and the effects of enforcing park regulations on livelihood activities. As a result, the Panel found the relevant safeguards instruments were not applied in a proper and timely manner.

How will the well-being of affected communities be addressed?

In response to this investigation, the World Bank prepared a Management Action Plan (MAP) to address the Panel's findings and support the communities in and around RUNAPA. This MAP was approved by the World Bank's Executive Directors in April 2025. The Government of Tanzania also committed to working with the Bank to implement the MAP.

The MAP addresses the following key aspects:

1. Resettlement: The Government informed the World Bank that it had no intention of resettling communities in the foreseeable future, and the communities could continue exercising their usual livelihood activities within the boundaries of legally registered villages inside RUNAPA.
2. Law enforcement and conflicts: The Government has established a robust Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) with the support of the World Bank, incorporating Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs), toll-free lines, and the Government's digital complaints platform. The GRCs have been enhanced through comprehensive training, strict adherence to the updated GRM Manual, and the ongoing distribution of Information, Education, and Communication materials in various places in and around RUNAPA. The information provided detailed the steps involved in the reporting process and the government structures and referral system for handling these grievances. More information about the Grievance Redress Service is available online.
3. Livelihood restrictions: To support communities in and around RUNAPA, a two-pronged approach has been initiated by the Government of Tanzania, in collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners. First, immediate assistance for alternative livelihoods, prioritized by residents through a participatory consultation process, is being provided to communities in the villages and sub-villages inside and around RUNAPA. This includes training in alternative livelihoods, as well as water and catchment management.
   Second, communities are being supported to engage in alternative, community-based, and demand-driven activities that enhance their skills, resilience and livelihoods. These activities, to be selected by the communities themselves, may include agroforestry, beekeeping, the establishment of community conservation banks, the implementation of water-efficient irrigation system development and the adoption of alternative energy sources among others.
4. Park management: To address the challenges related to sustainable and inclusive conservation as part of the MAP, the Government of Tanzania in partnership with the World Bank, organized a workshop on June 13-14, 2025, in Arusha. The workshop discussed good practices in protected area management. It brought together almost 200 national and international technical experts from government, academia, civil society organizations, representatives of communities adjacent to national parks, the private sector, regional government representatives, and development partners.

Will the World Bank compensate communities in regard to claims of injuries, deaths and property losses?

We are deeply concerned by reports of injuries, deaths, and property loss, and we extend our sympathies to all affected individuals and their families. Claims for compensation, however, are handled through the Tanzanian legal processes in accordance with national laws. The Inspection Panel did not find that individual injuries, fatalities, or instances of property loss were caused by REGROW. Nevertheless, the World Bank is supporting the Government to bring legal services closer to citizens. As part of the ongoing initiatives agreed under the MAP, a local NGO partner will provide communities in and around RUNAPA with legal information to access legal help if they need it.

One of the chief complaints of REGROW stakeholders focused on the Government's decision to expand park boundaries and the Government's plans to resettle communities located within those wider boundaries. Will the World Bank push the Government to return to the older RUNAPA boundaries?

The expansion of RUNAPA boundaries was not part of REGROW and occurred in 2008 - almost 10 years before the Project was initiated. The World Bank does not have the authority to compel the Government to alter park boundaries. Such decisions are under the jurisdiction of the national government.

What happens if the Government resettles people from RUNAPA in the future?

The authority to pursue resettlement plans rests with the Government of Tanzania under national laws and policies regarding resettlement. However, as noted above, the Government informed the Bank that it had no intention of resettling communities in the foreseeable future, and they could continue exercising their usual livelihoods activities in the legally registered villages inside RUNAPA.

What lessons has the World Bank learned for future projects?

As an institution that is focused on fighting poverty and enabling people to improve their lives, we are committed to continually improving our own systems and practices. Learning from this case, we have a renewed focus on working with governments to strengthen processes to identify, avoid, and minimize the social and environmental impacts of projects financed by the Bank.

The Bank has also developed a Good Practice Note on Managing the Risks of Projects Involving Protected Areas. As part of this effort, we are reviewing the World Bank's pipeline to identify potential projects supporting national parks and protected areas, in order to assess whether they may pose risks similar to those identified in REGROW and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.