How to Register a Company in Tanzania (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Introduction

 

Tanzania’s business-registration framework is designed to welcome both local and foreign investors—provided that all corporate documentation is correctly prepared and notarized.For foreign entities or individuals seeking to invest or incorporate, understanding the required attachments under the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and the Companies Act 2002 is critical. Missing or incomplete documents can delay the process or cause your application to be rejected.

This guide explains the complete list of attachments, forms, and supporting documents you must submit for a smooth registration.

 

2. Overview of Company Registration for Foreign Investors

 

All companies in Tanzania are registered through the BRELA Online Registration System (ORS).Foreign investors can either:

1. Register a new Private Limited Company with local and foreign shareholders, or

2. Register a Branch / Subsidiary / Foreign Company if the parent firm already exists abroad.

Both require official supporting documents to prove legitimacy, ownership, and compliance with Tanzanian law.

 

3. Mandatory Attachments for Company Registration

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To register a company in Tanzania, every investor — local or foreign — must prepare and submit specific documents. Below is a clear guide outlining what’s required and why.

 

Identity Documents

• For Foreign Shareholders and Directors:
  A valid passport copy (must be valid for at least six months).
  All passports must be notarized or certified.

• For Local Shareholders and Nominees:
  NIDA card, National ID, or passport is required for all Tanzanian directors or nominees.

 

Proof of Address

• Utility bill or tenancy agreement for each shareholder and director.

• Must clearly show a physical address (not a P.O. Box).

• Accepted documents include electricity, water, or internet bills.

 

Company Documents

• Draft Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMARTS):
  Must outline the company’s objectives, shareholding structure, and management roles.

• Form 14b (Declaration of Compliance):
  To be signed by an advocate or notary public in Tanzania.

• Form 14a (Particulars of Directors and Secretary):
  Lists each director and the appointed company secretary.

• Form No. 15 (Registered Office Address):
  Required for all Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).

 

Shareholding & Capital Evidence

• Statement of Nominal Capital & Share Allocation:
  Indicates ownership percentages and capital structure.
  The minimum share capital for investment incentives — typically USD 50,000 for local and $500,000 or higher as required by TIC or sectoral regulators.

 

5. Supporting Documents for Foreign Entities

• Certificate of Incorporation of the Parent Company:
  Must be notarized and authenticated by the nearest Tanzanian embassy.

• Board Resolution Authorizing Registration in Tanzania:
  Should clearly state authorized signatories and appointed directors for the Tanzanian subsidiary.

 

6. Translations

• All non-English documents must have a sworn English translation.

• Use a certified translator or notary public to ensure validity.

 

7. Power of Attorney

• Required to appoint a local representative or advocate in Tanzania.

• Must be signed, notarized, and uploaded for BRELA and TRA processes.

 

8. Passport Photos

• One (1) recent passport-size photo for each director (for bank account openings etc)

• Must be in digital format for BRELA online upload.

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Tip:
All documents should be clear, properly signed, and in PDF or JPEG format for easy submission to BRELA, TRA, and other government portals.

 📎 Contact Zatra Consultants for professional assistance in preparing and notarizing all your company registration documents.

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4. Notarization & Authentication Rules

• Foreign documents must be notarized in the country of origin and authenticated at the Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission.

• Local documents (e.g., Form 14b, 14a) should be notarized by an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania.

• Unsigned or scanned copies without notarization are not accepted for foreign investor applications.

 

5. Sector-Specific Attachments

Certain industries in Tanzania require additional approvals or permits before or after completing BRELA company registration.
These attachments ensure your business meets the regulatory requirements of the respective ministry or authority.

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Mining / Mineral Trading

Businesses involved in gold, gemstones, or metallic minerals must obtain:

• Mining Commission Licence Application or

• Dealer Licence Intent Letter
  These are required before starting any buying, selling, or export activities.

 

Manufacturing / Industrial

Manufacturers and processors must apply for:

• TISEZA or EPZA Incentive Application
  This secures tax and import benefits under Tanzania’s investment and export promotion programs.

 

Tourism / Hospitality

Tour operators, hotels, lodges, and related hospitality ventures must include:

• TTB Tour Operator Licence or

• Tourism Business Application through the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB)
  This ensures compliance with national tourism and hospitality regulations.

 

Microfinance / Banking

Financial institutions and credit providers must secure:

• Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Letter of No Objection or

• Provisional Licence prior to launching microfinance or lending operations.

 

Education / Training

Training centres, colleges, and academic institutions must provide:

• NACTE / Ministry of Education Permit
  This verifies curriculum approval and operational licensing.

 

Agriculture / Livestock

Agro-traders, processors, and exporters must attach:

• MAFC Business Licence issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives (MAFC)
  Required for agricultural trading, processing, and export businesses.

 

Tip:
Zatra Consultants manages all sector-specific applications and follow-ups on your behalf — ensuring a smooth and compliant setup from BRELA registration to operational approval.

 🌐 Request Sector-Specific Licensing Support

 

6. Time Frame & Typical Process

1. Name Reservation: 1 day via BRELA ORS.

2. Document Preparation & Notarization: 1 day.

3. Online Submission & Payment: 1 day.

4. BRELA Verification & Approval: 2 days.⏱ Estimated Turnaround: 2-5 working days for complete applications.

 

7. Key Compliance Tips

• Always use a physical Tanzanian address.

• Ensure your shareholding structure reflects foreign and local ownership ratios (when required by sector rules).

• Save all digital copies of signed documents for future BRELA renewals and annual returns.

• Seek professional guidance for Tax Identification (TIN) and VAT registration to avoid TRA delays.

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8. Our Assistance for Company Registration in Tanzania

 

At Zatra Consultants, our incorporation experts provide end-to-end company registration services in Tanzania, ensuring that every stage — from document preparation to licensing — is handled professionally and efficiently.We assist you in the following manner:

1. Collecting and Organizing the Required DocumentsWe gather and review all necessary shareholder, director, and company documents to ensure BRELA compliance before submission.

2. Compiling Registration Forms & AttachmentsOur team prepares all statutory forms, including Form 14a (Directors & Secretary), Form 14b (Declaration of Compliance), and the company’s MEMARTS.

3. Name Reservation via BRELA ORSWe reserve your preferred company name through the BRELA online registration system and ensure it meets all naming standards.

4. Filing the Incorporation Application on Your BehalfWe submit your full registration package to BRELA and track the approval process until your Certificate of Incorporation is issued.

5. Appointing a Company SecretaryZatra can act as or assist in appointing a licensed company secretary to maintain statutory records and handle annual returns.

6. Drafting the Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMARTS)Our legal specialists prepare customized constitutional documents that reflect your company’s business objectives and shareholding structure.

7. Assisting with Director & Shareholder AppointmentsWe facilitate the appointment process for both local and foreign shareholders and directors, ensuring all documentation is notarized correctly.

8. Providing a Registered Office AddressWe help you choose or register an appropriate physical office location in Tanzania — a mandatory requirement for all company incorporations.

9. Obtaining Business Licenses & Tax RegistrationAfter registration, we secure your Business Licence, TIN, and VAT (where applicable), and guide you through sector-specific permits such as TIC, EPZA, or TISEZA approvals.

 

We ensure that your company registration process in Tanzania is seamless, compliant, and cost-effective. Our professionals understand the intricacies of local incorporation procedures, enabling us to expedite approvals and deliver investor-ready outcomes at competitive rates.

 

9. Assisting with Director & Shareholder Appointments

 

We assist both local and foreign investors in appointing their company’s directors and shareholders in full compliance with Tanzanian company law.Our team ensures that all appointments are properly documented, notarized, and filedwith the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

 

For foreign investors who prefer discretion or are not yet physically present in Tanzania, Zatra Consultants provides professional nominee shareholder and director services.These nominees act in trust and on behalf of the beneficial owner, ensuring your interests are legally protected while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

 

We prepare all Nominee Agreements, Declarations of Trust, and Board Resolutions, ensuring clear legal separation between beneficial ownership and administrative representation.This structure allows investors to:

• Maintain confidentiality of ownership during the setup phase.

• Fulfill the statutory requirement for local directorship or shareholding (where applicable).

• Operate seamlessly while meeting all corporate governance and anti–money laundering (AML) obligations.

 

Zatra’s nominee arrangements are always transparent, legally binding, and fully compliant with Tanzania’s Companies Act (2002) and anti-fraud/beneficial ownership regulations.

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Get Your Free Checklist of Required Attachments & Investor DocumentsContact Zatra Consultants today to receive a ready-to-use document package for company registration in Tanzania.

 

Sinza A, Sam Nujoma Road, First Floor, Mwenge Tower – Opp. Mlimani City

📞 +255 747 912 965 | ✉ sales@zatra.co | 🌐 www.zatra.co