Dar es Salaam – A new directive in Tanzania requires all masters of ceremonies (MCs) and disc jockeys (DJs) to register for a government-issued licence to work, a move that has sparked a debate about artistic freedom and state control in the country’s creative industry.
Starting from February 6, 2026, all MCs and DJs in Tanzania must be registered and accredited by the National Arts Council (BASATA) to legally perform in the country.
The directive, announced in late December 2025, has been met with a mix of applause and apprehension, reflecting the complex relationship between the state and the creative sector in the East African nation.
According to a public notice issued by BASATA, the new requirement is based on the National Arts Council Act of 2018, which mandates the council to register artists and issue permits for commercial artistic activities.
The registration fee is set at Sh10,000, with an additional Sh40,000 for the permit, bringing the total to Sh50,000. The government has stated that the move is intended to professionalise the industry, provide official recognition to practitioners, and enable them to access government support systems, including the national arts fund.
Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dorothy Gwajima, has publicly endorsed the directive, stating that it will improve the quality of services and contribute to community development.
Supporters of the move, including some artists, have welcomed the formal recognition, seeing it as a gateway to international opportunities and a way to access financial support.
Avila Chaula, a member of the Tanzania Hairdressers’ Association, which recently came under BASATA’s oversight, noted that formal recognition makes it easier to obtain visas and permits for international work.
However, the directive has also been met with significant concern, with critics viewing it as another step in the government’s efforts to control the creative industry.
The move comes against a backdrop of increasing censorship and a shrinking space for artistic freedom in Tanzania. BASATA has a history of banning songs and artists for content deemed to be in violation of “national morals” or “cultural values,” with several high-profile artists, including Nay Wa Mitego and Roma Mkatoliki, facing censorship and legal action for their critical work.
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The broader context of the creative industry in Tanzania includes a recent fan boycott of musicians perceived to be aligned with the government, which has highlighted a growing disconnect between artists and their audience.
Critics of the new licensing requirement argue that it is an administrative overreach designed to stifle dissent and further control a creative sector that is already facing significant challenges.
The timing of the directive, amidst a period of heightened tension between the government and the creative community, has led many to question the true motives behind the move.
While the government maintains that the licensing is a positive step towards professionalisation and support, some in the creative industry remain wary, viewing it as a potential tool for further censorship and control in a country where artistic freedom is increasingly under threat.
