Refugees in Tanzania – Asset or Burden?

Since its independence, Tanzania has been the location of choice for many refugees in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. As one of the most impoverished countries in the world, mass refugee migrations such as those experienced in the 1990s alter Tanzania’s own plight for social and economic development. This paper explores the effects that refugees have had upon Tanzania’s economy. It will be shown that there is a variety of evidence to prove both positive and negative effects, each argument posing a counter to the other. Despite the lack of information and research on this issue, an assessment and balance sheet can be created in order to appraise the relative economic effects that the refugees have caused throughout the years. Such a balance sheet should be considered in the development and implementation of future refugee policies to ensure appropriate treatment of the refugees and the host population in addition to supporting national economic growth.