Tanzania has over the years tried to make it easy for prospective business owners to form,
operate and even dissolve their desired business entities. The entities may take any form
ranging from sole proprietorship, partnership, and company. The government through
responsible authorities have addressed and omitted bureaucratic practices that marred the
business formation processes in Tanzania. This saw for example the establishment of the
Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) which as its name suggests it oversees
all the important business processes.
BRELA operates swiftly through the Online Registration System (ORS) which can be accessed
anywhere in and out of Tanzania. The ORS now guarantees finality of any process within five
(5) working days if there is compliance of all requirements.
For a Sole proprietorship, one will need to: –
- Register the business name through BRELA ORS,
- Register for Tax-payer identification number (TIN) issued by the Tanzania Revenue
Authority (TRA) - Acquire a business license.
- Apply for permit(s) depending on the nature of the business (for example
pharmaceuticals, foods, fertilizers etc.
For a partnership
- There must be a partnership deed. Partnership contracts can take other forms for
example an oral partnership contract but practically the authorities will need a deed for
the purposes of registration. - Register the business name of the firm through BRELA ORS.
- Register for a Tax-payer identification number in the name of the firm issued by TRA.
- Apply for a business license and permit(s) depending on the nature of the business.
For a company
- Reserve the name of the prospective company through BRELA ORS.
- Prepare and file the Memorandum and Articles of Associations and other important
documents like integrity pledge and beneficial ownership forms through BRELA ORS - Apply for a business license.
- Register for the company’s Tax-payer identification number issued by the Tanzania
Revenue Authority (TRA) - Apply for permit(s) depending on the nature of the business.
** There might be additional requirements for Foreign Individuals and Entities
