Promote:
Invest in Tanzania
A short guide for companies expanding into Tanzania: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Tanzania at a glance
PopulationEstimate
70.5 million
Tanzania's population was 70,545,865 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, population, Tanzania, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$90.1 billion
Tanzania's GDP was US$90.14 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP in current dollars, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$1,319
Tanzania's GDP per person was US$1,319 in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
5.9%
Tanzania's real GDP grew 5.9 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
4.3%
Annual headline inflation in Mainland Tanzania was 4.3 percent in September 2026, unchanged from August; the index covers 26 mainland regional headquarters.
Source: NBS, consumer price index release, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$1.72 billion
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$1,717.6 million in 2025, according to UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, FDI flows, Tanzania (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Tanzanian shilling.
Source: Bank of Tanzania, Monetary Policy Report, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority is the investment promotion agency and operates a one-stop facilitation center; no agency count is published.
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
The Authority operates as a one-stop facilitation center, and other government institutions must cooperate with it under section 12 of the Act.
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
From July 28, 2025, an Order under the Business Licensing Act bars non-citizens from 15 business activities, including most wholesale and retail trade, and clearing and forwarding.
Source: Attorney General, non-citizen business activities order, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 28, 2025
As of 2026, the Bank of Tanzania's 2025 investment report names five special economic zones: Bagamoyo, Kwala, Benjamini Mkapa-Malibu, Nala and Buzwagi.
Source: Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania Investment Report 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Tanzania
- Register the company with BRELA through its Online Registration System.Business Registrations and Licensing AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: BRELA, company registration page (in Swahili) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get a taxpayer number from the revenue authority; a business applies within fifteen days of starting.Tanzania Revenue Authority15 days to applyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: TRA, starting a business and tax number page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Register as an investor with the Authority before you start, then apply for a certificate of investment or a special economic zone license.Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
- Apply to the sector regulator for the license your activity needs, such as the Mining Commission for mining and dealer licenses.Mining CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Mining Commission, license types and rules (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 4 more set-up steps
- Apply for work permits for non-citizen staff; the Labour Commissioner issues them, and Class A is for self-employed foreign investors.Prime Minister's Office, Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with DisabilityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tanzania, Non-Citizens Employment Regulation Act 2015 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 22, 2015
- Tell the Authority if you intend to use land outside its land bank; it coordinates acquisition for foreign investors under the Land Act.Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
- Open a bank account with a bank licensed by the Bank of Tanzania, which also sets the foreign exchange rules.Bank of TanzaniaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tanzania, Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022 (GN 294) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 13, 2022
- Transfer profits, dividends and loan repayments abroad through an approved bank, after paying taxes.Bank of TanzaniaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with TISEZA and TRA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment promotion agency
TISEZA
Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority
Registers investors, issues investment certificates and special economic zone licenses, and runs a one-stop facilitation center under the 2025 Act.
Visit TISEZA (opens in a new tab)Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of January 6, 2026
- Meet requirements
Business registry
BRELA
Business Registrations and Licensing Agency
Registers companies and business names online through its Online Registration System.
Visit BRELA (opens in a new tab)Source: BRELA, company registration page (in Swahili) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BoT
Bank of Tanzania
Sets foreign exchange rules, including how banks handle export proceeds, and publishes inflation and foreign investment data.
Visit BoT (opens in a new tab)Source: Tanzania, Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022 (GN 294) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 13, 2022
- Get advice
Zanzibar investment agency
ZIPA
Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority
Promotes and facilitates investment in Zanzibar and publishes an annual investment profile.
Visit ZIPA (opens in a new tab)Source: ZIPA, Investment Profile 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
TRA
Tanzania Revenue Authority
Runs customs export procedures and tax registration for businesses.
Visit TRA (opens in a new tab)Source: TRA, export procedures page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Manufacturers' association
CTI
Confederation of Tanzania Industries
Speaks for manufacturers to government on tax, regulation, trade arrangements and infrastructure.
Visit CTI (opens in a new tab)Source: CTI, overview page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Private sector apex body
TPSF
Tanzania Private Sector Federation
Brings business membership organizations under one body for advocacy, research and capacity building.
Visit TPSF (opens in a new tab)Source: TPSF, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The Foreign Exchange Regulations require export proceeds to come through a bank within ninety days; a 2026 amendment gives five days to explain a delay.
What to do: Confirm payment terms with your bank before you sign a sales contract.
Sources: Tanzania, Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022 (GN 294) (opens in a new tab); Bank of Tanzania, Foreign Exchange (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
AGOA status
Tanzania is on the June 2026 AGOA list, and a law signed September 2, 2026 extends the program to December 31, 2028.
What to do: Confirm that your product qualifies and check other United States tariffs before you price.
Sources: Federal Register, annual AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab); GovInfo, H.R. 6500 bill status, Public Law 119-103 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Logistics and border performance
The Bank of Tanzania says freight now runs by rail from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, and the Kwala Dry Port opened on July 31, 2025.
What to do: Ask your forwarder whether rail or the dry port changes your route and cost.
Source: Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania Investment Report 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Shilling pricing rule
Since March 28, 2025, goods and services sold within Tanzania must be priced and paid in shillings, except four kinds of transaction the regulations list.
What to do: Price local sales and contracts in shillings, and confirm any exception with the Bank of Tanzania before you sign.
Source: Bank of Tanzania, foreign currency usage regulations, 2025 (in Swahili) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 4 more
Reserved sectors
Non-citizens may not get or renew licenses for 15 activities, including retail and wholesale trade, mobile money, clearing and forwarding, tour guiding and micro and small industries.
What to do: Check the Order's schedule with the Ministry of Industry and Trade before you set up a trading, service or small manufacturing business.
Sources: Attorney General, non-citizen business activities order, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Mining Commission, license types and rules (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Investment incentives
The Finance Act, 2025 excludes goods such as furniture, sugar, soft drinks and cement from certificate holders' tax incentives, per its Swahili text.
What to do: Ask the Authority which of your imports qualify before you budget capital spending.
Sources: Tanzania, Finance Act 2025, June 30, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Tanzania, Finance Act 2026, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Electricity
The Bank of Tanzania reports power supply of about 4,031.71 megawatts against demand of about 1,645.23 megawatts.
What to do: Ask the supplier for a connection timeline for your site before you commit.
Source: Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania Investment Report 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Special economic zone sales
A special economic zone producer may sell up to 20 percent of its annual production in the customs territory, unless the Board allows more.
What to do: Compare your market split with the 20 percent limit before you choose a zone.
Source: Tanzania, Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, English version (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Tanzania with other countriesSet Tanzania beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Tanzania is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.