Starting Business in Tanzania (2026) Guide
Starting a business in Tanzania can be highly rewarding but only if you understand the regulatory process and comply correctly from the beginning.
This 2026 edition guide provides a clear, practical, step-by-step roadmap for local entrepreneurs, diaspora investors, and foreign investors seeking to establish compliant businesses
in Tanzania.Prepared by MG Empire Consultancy (T) Limited, a firm trusted by both government institutions and private investors, this guide explains what to do, where to apply, and in what order with direct links to official government systems.
What this guide covers:
Company registration with BRELA
Business premises and land/property rules
Tax registration and mandatory monthly returns (PAYE, SDL, VAT)
National and local business licensing
Sectoral licenses (medical, tourism, logistics, etc.)
Work permit and residence permit requirements
Investment project registration with TISEZA
Industrial and mining compliance (EIA, feasibility, permits)
Common mistakes and red flags
Practical investor checklist
Who this guide is for:
Local entrepreneurs and startups
Diaspora investors
Foreign investors and companies
Professionals entering the Tanzanian market
Industrial and mining investors
Tanzania is one of the most attractive investment destinations in East and Central Africa, offering opportunities across trade, services, industry, mining, tourism, logistics, and agribusiness. However, starting a business in Tanzania requires compliance with a structured regulatory framework involving multiple government institutions. Many local entrepreneurs, diaspora investors, and foreign investors face delays, penalties, or project setbacks not because the process is unclear in law, but because they lack practical, step- by-step guidance on how the system works in practice. This guide has been prepared by MG Empire Consultancy (T) Limited, a Tanzania-based business and investment facilitation firm with over five years of practical experience in supporting local, diaspora, and foreign investors in establishing and operating compliant businesses in Tanzania.