Dar es Salaam – The governments of Tanzania and China have announced plans to significantly expand their law enforcement cooperation. The agreement focuses on criminal investigations, cybercrime prevention, and the exchange of criminal suspects between the two nations.
The development emerged following a working meeting between the Minister for Home Affairs, Patrobas Katambi, and China’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, in Dar es Salaam on March 29, 2026. The two officials discussed strategies to address modern security challenges, particularly transnational organised crime and digital threats.
According to Katambi, the partnership will involve the exchange of technological systems used in crime detection and monitoring. It will also include capacity building for law enforcement agencies to deal with emerging forms of crime.
The cooperation extends deeply into intelligence sharing and digital policing. The two nations plan to implement joint investigation procedures and utilise artificial intelligence to strengthen public security and combat digitally organised crime.
This growing security relationship reflects a broader trend of China expanding its policing models in Africa. Thousands of African police and law enforcement personnel have received training in China, raising questions about the export of authoritarian surveillance practices.
While the government maintains that these measures are necessary for public safety, human rights organisations have expressed significant concerns. Critics fear that the uncritical application of China’s model of absolute party control could undermine police professionalism and be used to suppress political reform movements.
In recent years, Tanzania has witnessed a troubling increase in the policing of online speech and the targeting of government critics. The Human Rights Watch World Report 2025 highlighted that authorities have intensified clampdowns on the political opposition, utilising cybercrime laws to restrict free expression.
The country maintains a raft of laws and regulations that facilitate surveillance, including the Cybercrimes Act and the Electronic and Postal Communication Act. These laws have been used to prosecute individuals for online activities, such as the July 2024 conviction of a citizen who allegedly insulted President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a TikTok video.
Furthermore, there have been alarming reports of arbitrary arrests, detentions, and enforced disappearances of opposition figures and activists. High-profile cases include the abduction and torture of prominent social media critic Edgar Mwakabela in June 2024.
Despite these human rights concerns, the government argues that enhanced technological capabilities are essential for combating the rising tide of cybercrime. Officials note that cybercrime has become one of the fastest-growing security threats globally, necessitating international cooperation.
Cybercrime is increasingly prevalent in the region, with financial fraud, social engineering attacks, and third-party breaches being major concerns. A recent cybersecurity study revealed that 74 per cent of East African respondents consider cyber risk a top priority for their organisations.
Financial fraud prominently emerges in diverse forms, such as phishing scams, online banking malware, and credit card fraud. These digital crimes pose a significant threat to the country’s growing digital economy and e-government services.
The cooperation with China is expected to produce tangible benefits in this area by equipping local institutions with modern technologies. The partnership aims to improve the efficiency of crime-fighting agencies and enhance information sharing with international partners.
There are already signs of progress in the country’s cybersecurity governance. The nation was recently ranked as an African leader in cybersecurity governance according to the 2024 Global Cyber Security Index, reflecting a strong commitment to improving its security posture.
As the bilateral relationship deepens, the balance between national security and individual liberties remains a contentious issue. The integration of advanced surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence into local policing will likely continue to draw scrutiny from international observers.
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The agreement also includes provisions for the repatriation of fugitives between the two countries. This aspect of the cooperation aims to eliminate safe havens for transnational criminals operating in East Africa.
The bilateral discussions also touched upon non-traditional security areas. The two nations agreed to strengthen agricultural initiatives within various prisons across the country.
