Evaluation of the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Consumer Protection in Mainland Tanzania's Digital Economy.

Mbuthia, Bishota Mary Wanjira (2025) Evaluation of the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Consumer Protection in Mainland Tanzania's Digital Economy. Doctoral thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

PDF - Submitted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This research is on evaluation of legal framework for consumer protection in Tanzania’s digital economy. The key legal problem is the vulnerability of e-consumers in Tanzania due to the lack of satisfactory legal frameworks, for they are fragmented and scattered in different pieces of status. There is need for an inclusive stand-alone legal framework for consumers in digital economy in Tanzania. Consequently, the lack of specific legal mechanisms in the existing legal frameworks has not guaranteed consumers’ protection. This implies that the legal frameworks must be in place in Tanzania for a healthy digital economy. Considering the rapid technological advancements and serious legal challenges, risks including cross-border issues, consumers must build trust and confidence in digital commerce. However, the primary goal for this study was to assess the adequacy of the existing laws in Tanzania meant to safeguard contemporary or e-Consumers’ concerns in cases of online frauds, unfair contract terms and conditions, data privacy, security, and digital divide to mention a few. This has necessitated re-examination of the current laws by using doctrinal and comparative legal methodologys. Foreign laws are also scrutinized to identify key legal gaps and shortcomings making the work a hybrid. The key findings are that consumer protection legal frameworks are not satisfactory enough. In conclusion therefore, there is an absolute need for equitable, stand-alone, comprehensive and enforceable legal frameworks for both E-Commerce and consumer protection for a dynamic digital economy in Tanzania. Keywords: Consumer protection, digital commerce, digital economy, laws Tanzania.

Actions (login required)

View Item