Mzurikwao, Anthony2023-05-252023-05-252018-120012-8678http://repository.tia.ac.tz/handle/123456789/129Consumer protection law is one of the mechanisms for protection of consumers. It comprises of both principal and subsidiary legislation aiming at protecting consumers’ rights from being abused by producers. It is viewed as an appropriate mechanism of protecting consumers due to its coercive nature. However, the enactment and enforcement of such law depend on willingness of a state to do so. History shows that such willingness is influenced by political, social and economic interests which the state has to preserve. This article gives a brief historical account on how political, social and economic conditions from medieval era up to the present time has influenced legislative measures taken by the state to protect consumers’ rights. This account is crucial in grasping reasons why the consumer protection law, be it in western developed countries or in the least developed countries like Tanzania, is in the form it is today.Consumer, Law, Consumer rights, Consumer duties, Consumer protection Law.Article