World Bank REGROW project, Ruaha National Park
- At least 12 people died. not independently verifiedOakland Institute allegation of killings or disappearances; Witness Radio reports 11 killed and 5 disappeared. No official finding.
A US$150 million World Bank project in southern Tanzania was suspended in April 2024 after allegations of ranger violence and village removals around Ruaha National Park. The Bank's Inspection Panel found non-compliance with Bank policies, and the government cancelled the project in November 2024.
Reported disbursements before suspension: US$100–132 million (figures differ between reports).
Status As of October 2026 (latest research date): project cancelled in November 2024; the latest recorded step is the Bank Board's approval of a Management Action Plan on 1 April 2025; no prosecutions found.
- TANAPA — Named, with the REGROW budget, among the parties that gained in the sources reviewed; the sources do not itemise amounts.
- World Bank — Disbursements suspended on 18 April 2024 and the project cancelled in November 2024.
- Residents of villages around Ruaha National Park — Alleged killings and disappearances (at least 12 per the Oakland Institute); removal of five villages (21,252 people) announced in 2022; more than 84,000 people in 28 villages reported at risk.
- Park rangers — TANAPA reported 50 rangers killed nationwide in 2018–2024. World Bank Inspection Panel
What happened
The World Bank approved a US$150 million project known as REGROW on 28 September 2017. the sources reviewed describe it as a tourism project in southern Tanzania that overlapped with the expansion of Ruaha National Park, reported to have grown from about one million hectares to more than two million. REGROW concerns Ruaha National Park, not Ngorongoro.
In 2022 five villages, with 21,252 residents, were announced for removal. A summary of reports says that in April 2021 a fisherman and two others, one of them aged 14, were reported killed by rangers. The same summary says the Bank first said its mandate did not extend to government institutions; after a complaint from affected communities the Bank's Inspection Panel took up the case.
Disbursements were suspended with effect from 18 April 2024. The Inspection Panel's investigation report of 16 September 2024 found that the project's ranger code of conduct deferred to rules that “clearly allows the use of excessive force”. Bank management conceded that the project “had increased the possibility of violent confrontations”, and the Panel found that management “remained unaware of serious incidents” because it had not required incident reporting from the national parks agency, TANAPA. The Panel found non-compliance with Bank policies OP 4.01, OP 4.12 and the IPF policy.
The Tanzanian government cancelled the project in November 2024; one record describes the closure as made at the government's request. Reported disbursements before suspension were between US$100 million and US$132 million. The Bank's Board approved a Management Action Plan on 1 April 2025.
The Oakland Institute alleges at least 12 killings or disappearances connected to the Ruaha area, and Witness Radio reports 11 people killed and 5 disappeared; neither figure rests on an official finding in the sources. TANAPA reported to the Panel that 50 rangers were killed nationwide in 2018–2024. A summary of reports says that more than 84,000 people in 28 villages remain at risk.
- 2017World Bank approves the US$150 million REGROW project (28 Sep)
- 2021Three people, one aged 14, reported killed by rangers (April)
- 2022Removal of five villages (21,252 people) announced
- 2024Disbursements suspended (18 Apr); Inspection Panel report (16 Sep); government cancels the project (Nov)
- 2025Bank Board approves a Management Action Plan (1 Apr)
What was said
“clearly allows the use of excessive force”
“had increased the possibility of violent confrontations”
“remained unaware of serious incidents”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Found that the ranger code of conduct defers to rules that “clearly allows the use of excessive force” and found non-compliance with OP 4.01, OP 4.12 and the IPF policy (16 Sep 2024).
World Bank Inspection PanelConceded the project “had increased the possibility of violent confrontations”; the Panel found it “remained unaware of serious incidents”.
World Bank Inspection PanelAlleges at least 12 killings or disappearances.
Reports 11 killed and 5 disappeared.
Reported that 50 rangers were killed nationwide in 2018–2024.
World Bank Inspection PanelSaid at first, as reported, that its authority did not cover government institutions.
Took up the case after a community complaint and found non-compliance with Bank policies.
World Bank Inspection PanelHow it looked
Shown
Recorded
- The ranger code of conduct defers to rules that “clearly allows the use of excessive force”.
- Rules of engagement allow shooting fleeing offenders “in certain circumstances”.
- Bank management did not require TANAPA to report incidents and “remained unaware of serious incidents”.
- Non-compliance found with Bank policies OP 4.01, OP 4.12 and the IPF policy.
- TANAPA reported 50 rangers killed nationwide in 2018–2024.
- Disbursements suspended effective 18 April 2024; project cancelled by the government in November 2024; Board approved a Management Action Plan on 1 April 2025.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- world-bank (2024): Management conceded that the project “had increased the possibility of violent confrontations”. · World Bank Inspection Panel
- world-bank (1 April 2025): The Board approved a Management Action Plan on 1 April 2025.
- tanzania-gov (November 2024): The project was closed in November 2024 at the government's request.
- tanapa (2024): Reported that 50 rangers were killed nationwide in 2018–2024. · World Bank Inspection Panel
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2024-09-16Claimant wonInspection Panel investigation of the REGROW projectWorld Bank Inspection Panel (accountability mechanism, not a court) · Administrative · Community members who complained to the Panel → World Bank (project management)
The Panel's report of 16 September 2024 found non-compliance with Bank policies OP 4.01, OP 4.12 and the IPF policy. The Board approved a Management Action Plan on 1 April 2025. The Panel's findings are not a court judgment. World Bank Inspection Panel
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Figures
- Insufficient Disbursed: Reports range from US$100m to US$132m; no primary figure in the sources.
- Insufficient Deaths: Oakland Institute allegation of killings or disappearances; Witness Radio reports 11 killed and 5 disappeared. No official finding.
- Insufficient Deaths reported apr 2021: A fisherman and two others, one aged 14, reported killed by rangers in April 2021; no prosecution found.
- Insufficient Area (ha): Reported expansion of Ruaha National Park from about 1 million ha.
Accounts
Record
- None on record No prosecutions were found for the Ruaha killings, nor for the other conservation-related abuses in the same research list.
- None on record Reported disbursements range from US$100 million to US$132 million; no single primary figure is given.
- Insufficient The allegations (at least 12 killings or disappearances per the Oakland Institute; 11 killed and 5 disappeared per Witness Radio) are reported but not independently verified; no official finding is recorded.
- None on record Eviction and compensation claims in Ruaha are reported as continuing; their forum and status are not identified.
Did the harm stop?
Disbursements were suspended in April 2024 and the government cancelled the project in November 2024. A summary of reports says more than 84,000 people in 28 villages remain at risk.
Who paid?
Residents of villages around Ruaha National Park, according to the Inspection Panel's findings and the allegations of civil-society groups; the sources give no compensation figure.
Sources
International bodies
- Inspection Panel investigation report, executive summary (REGROW)World Bank Inspection Panel · 2024-09-16
Connected cases
- Lagos waterfront evictions (Otodo-Gbame, Badia East) and Eko Atlantic Nigeria · 2014–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Funder of a project in the Badia East area
- World Bank Inspection Panel (International organisation) — here: Accountability body that investigated the complaint; there: Accountability mechanism; closed Badia East complaint
- Olkaria geothermal projects (Kenya) Kenya · 2013–2017
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Financier; its Inspection Panel reviewed the resettlement
- World Bank Inspection Panel (International organisation) — here: Accountability body that investigated the complaint; there: Independent complaints body
- World Bank $800m Uzbekistan operation; Tanzania project halted Uzbekistan · 2017–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: lender; policy operation and REGROW financier
- Government of Tanzania (Government) — here: Borrower; cancelled the project; there: REGROW borrower; project cancelled in November 2024
- World Bank inspection panel registers complaint over Rogun dam financing Tajikistan · 2024–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: financier
- World Bank Inspection Panel (International organisation) — here: Accountability body that investigated the complaint; there: complaints mechanism that registered the complaint
- 1991 World Bank memo signed by Lawrence Summers on pollution in Africa Africa (regional) · 1991–1993
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Institution that issued the internal memo
- Cambodia fills Phnom Penh's Boeung Kak lake with sand under 99-year lease Cambodia · 2007–2011
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: lender whose land-titling programme was reviewed
- Costa Rica payments for ecosystem services and forest recovery Costa Rica · 1997
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Results-based carbon payer
- EACOP pipeline: insurers decline, construction continues Uganda / Tanzania · 2021–2026
- Government of Tanzania (Government) — here: Borrower; cancelled the project; there: Host government
- Green Belt Movement and Karura Forest, Kenya Kenya · 1977–2023
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Signed a carbon-credit agreement with the Green Belt Movement
- Ho Chi Minh City canal restoration demolished about 7,000 households Vietnam · 1993–2012
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: lender of the first-phase loan
- India's 1975–77 Emergency sterilisation drive drew a $66 million World Bank loan India · 1975–1977
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Lender
- Jamaica catastrophe bonds and the Hurricane Melissa payout Jamaica · 2021–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Issuer and arranger of the catastrophe bonds
- Jamaica's World Bank catastrophe bond did not pay after Hurricane Beryl Jamaica · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Brokered the bond
- Mbeubeuss landfill plan to hire 500 of more than 3,000 waste pickers Senegal · 2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: finances the Mbeubeuss rehabilitation, as reported
- Mekong sand mining (Cambodia, Vietnam) Cambodia and Vietnam · 2007–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Inspection Panel finding on Boeung Kak land titling; lending freeze 2011
- Mkuju River uranium mine and the Selous boundary change Tanzania · 2009–2025
- Government of Tanzania (Government) — here: Borrower; cancelled the project; there: Government; 20% share in the project
- Mongolia index livestock insurance Mongolia · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Author of the presentation describing the programme
- Nepal community forestry Nepal · 2000–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Funder of carbon payments (Forest Carbon Partnership Facility)
- Ngorongoro and Loliondo relocations Tanzania · 1992–2026
- Government of Tanzania (Government) — here: Borrower; cancelled the project; there: Government; relocation programme
- Rabobank co-financed a Brazilian eucalyptus carbon plantation contested by locals Brazil · 2003–2008
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: operator of the carbon fund
- Sengwer evictions from Embobut forest and the EU Water Towers programme (Kenya) Kenya · 2014–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Funder of an earlier forest project (2007)
- Sri Lanka fertiliser ban Sri Lanka · 2021
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Source of the paddy yield figure
- Tanzania's Tokomeza anti-poaching drive: 19 deaths, four ministers removed Tanzania · 2013
- Government of Tanzania (Government) — here: Borrower; cancelled the project; there: ran the Tokomeza operation; removed four ministers
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Lender (USD 800 million, October 2025)
- World Bank $100m plastic waste bond tied to Verra credit sales Multiple countries · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: issuer of the bond
- World Bank and development bank accountability mechanisms: Embobut (Sengwer), Tata Mundra, Arun III, Jale, Cambodia Kenya · 2007–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Funder of the Kenya project; hosts the Inspection Panel
- World Bank US$600m farm loan coincided with a 90% fall in farm support Turkey · 2001–2003
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Lender of the US$600m loan
- World Bank-backed Colombo flood work turned Beddagana wetland into a park Sri Lanka · 2010–2018
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Financier of the REGROW project; there: Funder whose support backed the programme
- World Bank-backed dams displaced people, and reviews found incomes often not restored Global · 1985–2018
- World Bank Inspection Panel (International organisation) — here: Accountability body that investigated the complaint; there: Complaints unit set up in 1993 after the Sardar Sarovar review