Starting a business in Tanzania: foreigner's guide (2026)

A private limited company (minimum 2 shareholders, 2 directors) is registered through BRELA's Online Registration System (ORS) via name reservation, filing of Memorandum & Articles of Association, and payment of fees. The process is digital and typically completed in 2–3 weeks, yielding a Certificate of Incorporation.

The Companies Act imposes no minimum share capital, but foreign investors must commit a minimum of USD 500,000 to register with TISEZA and obtain a Certificate of Incentives conferring tax benefits and protection against expropriation. Tanzanian-owned firms qualify at only USD 50,000.

From 1 July 2025, TISEZA replaced TIC and EPZA as Tanzania's unified investment authority, operating a digital one-stop facilitation center where investors can simultaneously complete company registration, tax (TIN), and other regulatory requirements.

The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order G.N. No. 487A, issued 28 July 2025, bars non-citizens from 15 sectors including general retail and wholesale trade, mobile money transfer, mobile phone and electronics repair, tour guiding, radio/TV broadcasting, real estate brokerage, and clearing and forwarding. Violations carry fines up to TZS 10 million, imprisonment up to six months, and possible deportation.

Certain regulated sectors impose local-participation requirements: Special Mining Licences require at least 30% Tanzanian citizen shareholding via public offering; insurance companies must maintain one-third Tanzanian shareholding and one-third Tanzanian board membership. Many other sectors allow 100% foreign ownership.

After BRELA incorporation, businesses must obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), secure any applicable sector-specific licence, and open a corporate bank account. Foreign investors seeking TISEZA registration submit project documentation to qualify for incentives.