Set up a company in Tanzania.
Senior advisory on incorporation, banking and compliance in one of East Africa’s fastest-growing economies. We handle BRELA registration, TRA registration, NSSF, and the rest — from London, Amsterdam and on the ground.
A serious gateway to East Africa.
Tanzania is the second-largest economy in East Africa and one of the fastest-growing on the continent. For businesses targeting EAC, SADC and Indian Ocean trade routes — or natural resources, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure — it is a credible base, not a soft option.
Strategic location
Direct access to East African Community (EAC) and SADC markets — over 350 million consumers across the two blocs — plus Indian Ocean shipping routes through Dar es Salaam port.
Political stability
Decades of stable government and consistent macroeconomic policy. A predictable jurisdiction for long-cycle infrastructure, mining, agriculture and energy investments.
Investment incentives
The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) issues incentive packages for qualifying investments — including capital allowances, import duty relief and Strategic Investor status.
100% foreign ownership
Foreign investors can own 100% of a Tanzanian Limited Liability Company. No mandatory local partner — though local directors and senior staff are required in some sectors.
Natural resources base
Gold, gas, critical minerals, agriculture and fisheries. Tourism remains one of the largest foreign exchange earners. Sectoral depth that few East African jurisdictions can match.
Skilled, English-speaking workforce
English is an official language of commerce and law. The workforce is young, growing, and increasingly skilled in technology, engineering and professional services.
Choose the right entity. First time.
Tanzania recognises eight company structures. For most foreign investors, the Limited Liability Company is the right answer. Here are the options that matter, and when each one makes sense.
Limited Liability Company (Ltd)
Separate legal entity, limited liability, full operating capacity. The default for foreign investors trading in Tanzania.
- Min. 2 shareholders, 2 directors
- 100% foreign ownership permitted
- No formal minimum share capital
- Annual audit and filing required
Public Limited Company (PLC)
Shares can be offered to the public and listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. Higher disclosure and governance requirements.
- Min. 7 shareholders
- Min. 2 directors
- Listed companies enjoy reduced corporate tax (25%)
- Full audit and disclosure regime
Branch of a Foreign Company
An extension of an overseas parent, registered in Tanzania. Useful where the parent wants to operate directly without forming a local subsidiary.
- No separate legal personality
- Parent liable for branch obligations
- Annual filings of parent and branch accounts
- Local representative required
Representative Office
For market research, liaison and promotional activity only. Cannot conduct revenue-generating business or sign contracts.
- No commercial trading
- Lower setup and compliance burden
- Often the first step before a full Ltd
- Limited tax exposure
What it costs. How long it takes.
Indicative ranges for a foreign-owned Limited Liability Company. Final fixed quote depends on structure, shareholders and ongoing support level — we confirm within 48 hours of a discovery call.
Get an estimate in 30 seconds.
Three quick choices. We’ll show you an indicative cost range, monthly support fee and time to live — then send a fixed quote within 48 hours.
Which entity type do you need?
What does your shareholding look like?
How much ongoing support do you need?
From signed engagement to live entity.
The full Tanzanian registration sequence. We handle every step — you sign two or three documents and review progress weekly.
Name reservation
Check availability and reserve the proposed company name through the BRELA Online Registration System (ORS). Two backup names recommended.
Memorandum & Articles of Association
We draft the constitutional documents to match the agreed share structure, director arrangements and business objects. Translated and certified as needed.
Incorporation filing
Submit the application package to BRELA: MemArts, completed forms, ID for directors and shareholders, evidence of fees paid. Certificate of Incorporation issued on approval.
Tax registration (TIN)
Apply for the company’s Tax Identification Number with the Tanzania Revenue Authority. Required before any commercial activity or banking.
VAT & PAYE registration
Register for VAT (mandatory above the turnover threshold) and PAYE if employing staff. We file and respond to TRA queries on your behalf.
Social security & workers’ compensation
Register the company with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Workers’ Compensation Fund (WCF). Required before payroll runs.
Bank account opening
Introductions to banks that actively onboard foreign-owned Tanzanian entities. Account opened in TZS, USD and EUR as needed.
Sectoral licences & permits
Where required — tourism, mining, financial services, telecoms, healthcare — we coordinate the relevant industry licence. Scoped on day one.
The legal framework that applies.
A summary of the Tanzanian legislation that governs incorporation, tax, employment, data, environment and intellectual property. We track changes and brief clients ahead of filing deadlines.
Formation & governance
- Companies Act, 2002 — formation and operation of companies
- Investment Act, 1997 — foreign investment framework
Corporate & transactional
- Income Tax Act, 2004 — corporate income taxation
- VAT Act, 2014 — value added tax
Workforce & benefits
- Employment & Labour Relations Act, 2004 — contracts and conditions
- NSSF Act, 1997 — pension contributions
- Occupational Health & Safety Act, 2003 — workplace standards
Privacy & communications
- EPOCA Act, 2010 — electronic communications and data
- Regulator: Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
Sustainability & permits
- Environmental Management Act, 2004 — protection and assessment
- Regulator: National Environment Management Council (NEMC)
Patents, marks & copyright
- Patents Act, 1987
- Trade & Service Marks Act, 1986
- Copyright & Neighbouring Rights Act, 1999
We’ve actually done business in Tanzania.
Senior advisers only
Every Tanzania engagement is led by a practitioner who has incorporated, banked and operated in East Africa — not by a junior reading the BRELA website.
Real banking introductions
We know which Tanzanian banks actively onboard foreign-owned entities and which will keep you in a queue for six months. Honest, named introductions.
End-to-end accountability
Incorporation, TIN, NSSF, banking, ongoing compliance — one team, one point of contact, one fixed quote. No handoffs, no surprises.
Honest advice on jurisdiction
If Tanzania isn’t the right answer for your business — if Kenya, Rwanda or Mauritius would serve you better — we’ll tell you on the discovery call. No commission gets in the way of the right answer.
Common questions about incorporating in Tanzania.
Ready to set up
in Tanzania?
Tell us in 25 minutes what you need. We’ll tell you honestly whether Tanzania is the right jurisdiction, which structure makes sense, and what it will cost — with a fixed quote in 48 hours.