This brief examines how the process of decentralization by devolution in Tanzania affects outcomes in terms of local government authorities (LGAs) capacity to deliver financial services to the poor. These outcomes depend on the level of administrative autonomy given to LGAs by the central government, their own capacity to execute, and ability to raise financial resources from the own source revenue category. The underlying study involved a review of literature, reports and other secondary data, along with interviews with central government ministries responsible for key services and administration of LGAs, regional secretariats and LGAs carried out in 2017. It also uses some data from the FinScope Survey carried out in 2016 and other studies on the subject.