Trend of Foreign Direct Investment in Tanzania's Real Estate Industry From 2000 - 2020: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has become an area of concern to many developing nations due to the economic benefits it presents to the host nation. Despite the notable growth and potential of the Tanzanian real estate market, there is lack of comprehensive, empirical studies that analyze the specific patterns of FDI inflows in the real estate industry in Tanzania over an extended period and their contributions to national GDP and other economic indicators. This systematic review aims to examine the trend of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania’s real estate industry from 2000 – 2020. Further, this review helps to determine the contribution of FDI to growth of GDP and other economic indicators in the country. Result shows that there was an irregular trend of FDI inflows in Tanzania’s real estate activities with various asymmetrical decrease and increase throughout the period from 2000 – 2020. However, the FDI inflows in real estate activities is not significantly associated with national GDP, national GDP growth rate, total FDI inflows in the country or contribution of the real estate activities in national GDP. There was a higher growth rate (between 4.2% - 7.5%) of real estate activities from 2000 – 2010, but was followed by a sharp decline to less than 2% in 2011 and then a steady growth rate of above 4% from 2015 – 2020. The percentage shares of GDP by real estate activities was relatively higher and steady from 2000 – 2010, followed by sharp decline from 2010 – 2011 and further decrease towards 2020. Further analysis indicated that there was a general increase in contribution of real estate activities in national GDP from 2000 – 2020. It is concluded that, FDI inflows in Tanzania’s real estate activities show an irregular trend with various asymmetrical decrease and increase throughout the period. The annual growth rate (%) of real estate activities in national GDP displays an irregular trend from 2000 – 2020. Further, there is a general increase in contribution of real estate activities in national GDP during the review period.