Tanzania and China have announced a plan to expand cooperation in the law enforcement sector. The agreement aims to conduct criminal investigations, prevent cybercrimes, and exchange suspects between the two countries.
The leaders discussed strategies to address modern security challenges, particularly international organized crime and digital threats. According to Katambu, the partnership will involve the exchange of technological systems for crime detection and monitoring, as well as the empowerment of Empire's officers. Both countries plan to implement joint investigation procedures and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance public safety.
These relationships reflect China's trend of expanding its police systems in Africa. Thousands of African police officers have received training in China, raising concerns about the export of authoritarian surveillance methods.
While the government emphasizes that these measures are necessary for public safety, human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns. Critics fear that China's use of one-party censorship could undermine police professionalism and serve to suppress political activism. In recent years, Tanzania has seen an increase in online censorship and the targeting of government critics.
The 2025 Human Rights Report notes that the authorities have increased their crackdown on the opposition by using cybercrime laws. Laws such as the Cybercrime Act and the Electronic and Postal Communications Act have been used to prosecute individuals for their online activities, including the July 2024 conviction of a citizen who allegedly insulted President Samia Suluu Hassan in a TikTok video. In addition, there have been reports of arbitrary arrests and disappearances of opposition leaders and activists, as was the case with Edgar Mwakabela in June 2024.
Despite these concerns, the government emphasizes that new technologies are necessary to combat cybercrime, which poses a rapidly growing threat to the world. These crimes, including financial fraud and digital attacks, pose a significant threat to the country's digital economy. A recent study on cybersecurity found that 74% of East African participants consider cyber threats to be their top priority.
Cooperation with China is expected to benefit as it allows local institutions to use modern technology. Tanzania has been recognized as an African leader in cybersecurity according to the 2024 International Cybersecurity Index. However, the balance between national security and individual freedom remains a subject of fierce debate.
The agreement also includes provisions for the rehabilitation of offenders to eliminate safe zones for international offenders. As for unusual security areas, both countries have agreed to strengthen agricultural projects in various prisons across the country.
