Blockchain Beyond Borders: Rethinking Tanzania's Legal and Regulatory Framework for the Digital Age

Blockchain technology highly impacts on global financial systems, digital governance, trade, and data management, hence challenging the adequacy of traditional legal and regulatory frameworks that are largely territorially bounded. In Tanzania, the emergence of blockchain-based applications, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and decentralised digital platforms presents both significant opportunities and complex regulatory challenges. While Tanzania has made progress in regulating aspects of the digital economy through legislation on electronic transactions, cybersecurity, data protection, and financial services, there remains no comprehensive legal framework specifically addressing blockchain technologies and their cross-border implications. This article examines the extent to which Tanzania’s existing legal and regulatory architecture can respond to the realities of a borderless digital ecosystem. It argues that Tanzania’s fragmented regulatory regime risks creating legal uncertainty, constraining innovation, and limiting the country’s participation in the global digital economy. It proposes a forward-looking framework that balances technological innovation with regulatory certainty, financial stability, cybersecurity, and public interest considerations. Ultimately, it contends that Tanzania must move beyond reactive regulation and adopt a coherent blockchain governance strategy capable of addressing the opportunities and risks of the digital age.