Legal Procedures When Starting Business in Tanzania

According to the World Bank “Ease of Doing Business” report, a company will need to go through the following steps to incorporate and register a new firm in Tanzania:

1) Apply for clearance of the proposed company name at the Business Registration and Licensing Authority (BRELA).

2) Obtain a notarized declaration of compliance.

3) Apply for incorporation of a company and obtain a certificate of incorporation (an industrial license will be obtained upon application and submission of a certificate of incorporation/compliance or TIC certificate of incentives)

4) Apply for and obtain Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

5) Apply for a business license from the regional trade officer (depending on the nature of the business)

6) Apply for VAT certificate with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

7) Register for the workmen’s compensation insurance at the National Insurance Corporation or other alternative insurance policy

8) Obtain a registration number at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Also read: Legal Forms of Business in Tanzania

On the other hand, According to Tanzania Investment Center’s Investment Guide, a company will also need to:

1) Have a business plan or feasibility study

2) Have a memorandum and articles of association

3) Have a certificate of incentives (for projects approved by TIC)

4) Have a lease agreement or title deed

5) Arrange for a Class A or B resident permit for their foreign employees

Classification of businesses by size in Tanzania

According to Tanzania SME development policy 2003, the common classes of business by size are:

#	Category	Employees	Capital (in million TShs.)
1	Micro enterprise	1 - 4	Up to 5mil.
2	Small enterprises	5 – 49	Above 5 mil. to 200 mil
3	Medium enterprises	50 – 99	Above 200mil.to 800 mil
4	Large enterprises	100 +	Above 800 mil.