This country currently has a directory entry or basic profile only; a full handbook is planned.
01Overview
- Region
- Africa
- Capital
- Dodoma
- Currency
- TZS
- Languages
- Swahili, English
- ISO code
- TZ / TZA
Jurisdictions
- Tanzania — National level; special zones and regulated sectors have separate rules
Macro indicators such as GDP and population will be added from the World Bank in the data release (P1).
02Market Entry
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
Foreign investment encouraged in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and others
- Applies to
- Incentive certificates require sector and size criteria
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
03Business Formation
Common legal entity
The company form most commonly used by foreign investors for a local operating entity.
Limited liability company
- Applies to
- Foreign companies may also register a place of business
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Registration authority
Primary authority for company or commercial registration.
Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA)
- Applies to
- The Tanzania Investment Centre offers a one-stop service
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
Foreign investment encouraged in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and others
- Applies to
- Incentive certificates require sector and size criteria
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
04Taxation
Headline corporate income tax
Statutory headline rate for ordinary companies, before incentives, exemptions, thresholds or special regimes. Always read with the conditions.
30%
- Applies to
- Listed companies and others may get reduced rates
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
Indirect tax (VAT / GST / SST)
Standard rate and type of VAT, GST or sales & service tax.
VAT standard rate 18%
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
Dividend withholding tax (non-residents)
General withholding on dividends paid to foreign shareholders, before treaty relief.
10% (5% for listed companies)
- Applies to
- From July 2025 the dividend withholding holiday for EPZs and SEZs was removed
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
Tax authority
Authority responsible for corporate tax registration and filing.
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- State Taxation Administration Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
Tax treaty with China
Whether a double taxation agreement with China is in force. Rates and conditions per the treaty text.
No treaty
- Applies to
- Per STA publications
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
05Banking & Payments
Exchange controls
Whether general exchange controls or cross-border fund rules apply.
Exchange control exists but is relatively liberal
- Applies to
- Banks handle shilling and foreign currency business
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Banking & financial regulator
Primary regulator for banking and foreign exchange.
Bank of Tanzania
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
06Employment
Foreign employee work permit
Main permit types needed for foreign employees to work legally.
Work permit from the labour authorities (classes A–E)
- Applies to
- Class A covers investors and business owners
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Labour & work permit authority
Authority for labour rules and foreign employee work permits.
Prime Minister's Office (labour and employment), online work permit system OWAIS
- Applies to
- Integrated with the immigration residence permit system
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Social security contributions
Main employer social security schemes for local and foreign employees.
NSSF and the Workers' Compensation Fund (WCF)
- Applies to
- Private-sector employees join the NSSF
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- National Social Security Fund
07Trade & Customs
Customs authority
Authority for import/export clearance and tariffs.
Customs and Excise Department, Tanzania Revenue Authority
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Main free trade agreements
Main regional and bilateral trade agreements relevant to Chinese exporters (not exhaustive).
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and others
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
08Investment & Manufacturing
Investment authority / agency
Body responsible for approving, registering or promoting foreign investment.
President's Office Planning and Investment; Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
Free zone / SEZ regime
Whether free zones or special economic zones operate under rules different from the mainland.
Export processing zones (EPZ) and special economic zones (SEZ)
- Applies to
- Licensed by the EPZA; Zanzibar has its own regime
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- Export Processing Zones Authority
09Digital & IP
Personal data protection law
Main law and regulator governing collection, use and cross-border transfer of personal data.
Personal Data Protection Act 2022
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- MOFCOM
IP office
Authority for trademark and patent filing and registration.
BRELA (mainland); BPRA (Zanzibar)
- Applies to
- Trademark rights are territorial; register locally or designate via the Madrid System (check WIPO membership)
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- WIPO
10Compliance & Risk
New York Convention party
Whether the country is party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, which affects enforcing foreign arbitral awards locally.
Yes
- Applies to
- Foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Convention, subject to its limited refusal grounds
- Jurisdiction
- Tanzania
- Source
- UNCITRAL
Live risk monitoring
Geopolitical, conflict and trade-route risk events for Africa, monitored by our sister site Global Risk Monitor.
Global Risk Monitor · Geopolitical and trade-route risk monitoring
11Step-by-Step
- 1Decide model and jurisdiction
- 2Confirm licences
- 3Prepare documents
- 4Incorporate
- 5Register for tax
- 6Open bank account
- 7Obtain operating licences
- 8Start operations
Generic steps without times or fees; rely on the facts and official sources on this page.
12Official Resources
Chinese official resources
Country materials from MOFCOM, the State Taxation Administration and China's overseas commercial offices
- MOFCOM country investment guideMOFCOM · PDF (Chinese)
- Country tax guide (STA)State Taxation Administration · PDF
- Commercial office中华人民共和国驻坦桑尼亚联合共和国大使馆经济商务处
- MOFCOM going-global platformMOFCOM
- Compliance & security alertsMOFCOM platform
Official guides are long Chinese-language PDFs updated on the publishers' schedules. Our structured facts cite local authorities as primary sources; use these guides to cross-check.