Climate change adaptation finance is central to global climate discussions; however, its allocation process is less researched. Using the actor-oriented theory, this paper examines actors, decision-making processes and factors used in allocating adaptation finance in Tanzania. Purposive sampling was used to obtain respondents based on climate financing experience. Mixed methods were used that included document review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed for descriptive statistics using an Excel spreadsheet to find R 2 . Qualitative data was thematically analyzed using NVivo version 13. Results show that Tanzania has defined actors composed of members from developed countries and the national and district councils and supported by a decision-making process. Results show that the vulnerability factor had strong relationships with developed countries, where R 2 = .5353, the national budget, where R 2 = .4644, and a moderate relationship with Karatu, where R 2 = .3071. The economic factor had a strong relationship with developed countries, where R 2 = .5669, and national budget, where R 2 = .4183. Institutional capacity and political factors had strong relationships with the national budget, where R 2 = .4850 and R 2 = .6825, respectively, and also in Karatu, where R 2 = .5754. Historical factors had a very strong relationship with the national budget, where R 2 = .6825. This paper concludes that financial allocation for adaptation is increasing, while factors used in allocating finance are transforming toward social economic development. This study recommends a balanced allocation of finance between adaptation and a broad development goal to prevent maladaptation.
Rogers et al. (2026) studied this question.