Doing business in Tanzania

Tanzania is a country located in East Africa, known for its diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and growing economy. The country has a relatively stable political environment and a developing economy, providing opportunities for businesses looking to invest in the region.

Tanzania's economy is largely based on agriculture, mining, and tourism, with significant potential for growth in these sectors. The government has implemented policies to promote investment and economic growth, offering a range of incentives for businesses looking to establish a presence in the country.

One of the main advantages of doing business in Tanzania is its strategic location. The country is situated at the crossroads of East and Central Africa, providing access to a large and growing market. Additionally, Tanzania is home to a large, young population, providing access to a pool of potential workers.

Tanzania also offers access to a range of natural resources, including minerals, natural gas, and fertile land, providing opportunities for investment in the mining, agriculture, and energy sectors. Additionally, the government has implemented policies to encourage foreign investment and improve the business environment.

However, there are also challenges to doing business in Tanzania. The country faces ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly in the areas of transport and energy, which can impact the cost and efficiency of doing business. Additionally, access to finance can be a challenge, and corruption is a concern in some sectors.

Overall, doing business in Tanzania presents a unique opportunity to be part of a developing economy, with significant potential for growth and access to a large, young population. However, it is important for businesses to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before entering the market.


Advantages of Doing Business in Tanzania

✔ Strategic Location: Tanzania is located at the crossroads of East and Central Africa, providing access to a large and growing market.

✔ Growing Economy: Tanzania has a developing economy with significant potential for growth, particularly in the agriculture, mining, and tourism sectors.

✔ Natural Resources: Tanzania is rich in natural resources, including minerals, natural gas, and fertile land, providing opportunities for investment in the mining, agriculture, and energy sectors.

✔ Supportive Government: The government has implemented policies to encourage foreign investment and improve the business environment, offering a range of incentives for businesses looking to establish a presence in the country.

✔ Large, Young Population: Tanzania has a large, young population, providing access to a pool of potential workers and consumers.


Disadvantages of Doing Business in Tanzania

✖ Infrastructure Challenges: Tanzania faces ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly in the areas of transport and energy, which can impact the cost and efficiency of doing business.

✖ Access to Finance: Access to finance can be a challenge, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, which can make it difficult for businesses to access the capital they need to grow.

✖ Corruption: Corruption is a concern in some sectors, which can impact the business environment and the ability to compete fairly in the market.

✖ Bureaucracy: Tanzania's regulatory environment can be bureaucratic and time-consuming, which can impact the ease of doing business.

✖ Skills Gap: There is a skills gap in Tanzania, particularly in the areas of technology and management, which can make it difficult for businesses to find the talent they need to grow.


There are several types of business organizations in Tanzania, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of business organizations in Tanzania include:

► Sole Proprietorship: A business owned and operated by a single individual. This is the simplest form of business organization and does not require any formal registration.

► Partnership: A business owned and operated by two or more individuals who share the profits and losses. Partnerships can be general partnerships or limited partnerships, depending on the level of liability protection that is required.

► Private Limited Company (Ltd): A company with limited liability for its owners, who are known as shareholders. A Ltd can be owned by a single shareholder or multiple shareholders, and is required to be registered with the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

► Public Limited Company (PLC): A company whose shares can be publicly traded on a stock exchange. A PLC is required to have a minimum of 50 shareholders and a minimum share capital of TZS 5 million.

► Non-Governmental Organization (NGO): A non-profit organization established for a specific social or charitable purpose. NGOs can be registered with the Registrar of NGOs.

► Branch Office: A business established by a foreign company in Tanzania. The branch office must obtain a permit from the Tanzanian Investment Centre and is subject to the same regulations as local businesses.

► Representative Office: A business established by a foreign company to conduct market research or promotional activities in Tanzania. A representative office is not allowed to engage in any commercial activities and is not required to be registered with any government agency.