Formalized land tenure systems in Tanzania have witnessed a shift towards recognizing customary land rights. The shift has advanced into a framework in which land owners can either apply for a Certificate of Granted Right of Occupancy (CGRO) or a Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCRO). 

This study investigates local perceptions of the formalized tenure system and its effect on the local democratic settings in Babati, Tanzania. The thesis is based on a field study carried out in early 2024 and employs a qualitative approach that utilizes semi-structured interviews conducted in the rural villages of Mwada and Matufa. The study incorporates an inductive comparative analysis to examine distinctions between certificate holders and non-certificate holders. The investigation relies on a theoretical adoption of land titling and democracy. 

Findings reveal that the absence of a certificate is associated with perceptions of lower levels of autonomy and security. In contrast, certificate holders, specifically CGRO holders, exhibit increased agency and security. The economic advantages achieved through the CGRO as opposed to a CCRO drive competition and consequently pressures non-certificate holders, leading to exclusionary dynamics within the community. The differences between certificate holders and non-holders consequently have an impact on the democratic setting. This calls for re-evaluation of the effect that land tenure formalization has in the broader democratic discourse.