ABOUT TISEZA

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) is the newly established apex body under the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Act No. 6 of 2025 which is responsible for all matters related to investment promotion, coordination, facilitation, the development and management of Special Economic Zones and advising the Government on investment and Special Economic Zones matters to continually improve the investment investment climate.

Formed through the merger of the former Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), TISEZA aims to create a streamlined, efficient, and more investor-friendly environment. This consolidation repealed and replaced the Tanzania Investment Act, 2022, the Export Processing Zones Act, 2002, as well as the Special Economic Zones Act, 2006.

TISEZA is explicitly designed to be the first and primary point of contact for all investors interested in Tanzania. This is a crucial aspect of the Tanzanian government's ongoing reforms to streamline the investment process and create a more investor-friendly environment.

KEY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF TISEZA:

Here's why TISEZA serves as the initial and essential gateway for investors:

The One-Stop Facilitation Centre:

TISEZA acts as a single point of contact for investors, simplifying the process of obtaining permits, licenses, and approvals from various government agencies. This includes an integrated electronic system for online investment facilitation services.

TISEZA functions as a comprehensive One Stop Facilitation Centre. This means instead of navigating multiple government ministries, departments, and agencies for various permits, licenses, and approvals, investors can now initiate and process almost all their requirements through TISEZA. This significantly reduces bureaucratic hurdles, saves time, and provides a centralized point of accountability.

Investment Promotion: 

TISEZA is actively promoting Tanzania as a prime investment destination to both domestic and encourage more Foreign Direct Investment. By providing a centralized and streamlined investment promotion services, TISEZA will make it easier for businesses to set up operations in Tanzania, thus boosting the country’s attractiveness as a regional hub for investment.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Development:

 Identifying, designating, developing, and managing SEZs (including Export Processing Zones - EPZs) to attract strategic investments, boost exports, and facilitate industrialization. These zones often offer attractive incentives.

Investor Facilitation and Aftercare:

Providing ongoing support to investors, assisting them in navigating administrative and regulatory frameworks, and resolving investment-related complaints.

Land Bank Management: 

The establishment of TISEZA also promises to improve land availability for investors.

Establishing and managing a national land bank to catalogue public and registered private land available for investment, streamlining land acquisition.

The creation of a land bank will allow investors to access a centralized database of government-designated investment land and privately-owned property available for lease. This will solve one of the major bottlenecks that investors face when setting up businesses in Tanzania: the difficulty of finding suitable and affordable land for investment.

Investors Registration:

Under the new Investment and Special Economic Zones Act No. 6 of 2025, all investors are now required to register with TISEZA before commencing operations in Tanzania, regardless of whether they are applying for fiscal incentives or not. This ensures that TISEZA has a holistic overview of all investment activities in the country and can provide consistent support.

Consolidated Mandate: 

TISEZA was formed by merging the former Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA). This consolidation eliminates previous overlaps in mandates and ensures that both general investments and those within special economic zones are handled under one unified authority. This provides clarity and efficiency for investors.

Comprehensive Information and Guidance:

TISEZA is equipped to provide investors with all necessary information regarding investment opportunities, policies, incentives, legal frameworks, and procedural requirements. They offer guidance from the initial inquiry stage through to project implementation and aftercare.

Streamlined Services:

The authority is establishing a unified electronic platform to digitize and centralize all government investment services. This technology-driven approach aims to further enhance transparency and efficiency, allowing investors to submit applications and track progress online.

Access to Incentives and SEZs:

TISEZA is the body responsible for issuing investment certificates for general investments and licenses for investments within Special Economic Zones (SEZs). They are also the point of contact for understanding and accessing the various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives available under the new law.

Dispute Resolution and Aftercare:

Beyond initial facilitation, TISEZA also plays a crucial role in post-investment support, including the establishment of structured mechanisms for handling complaints and resolving disputes, providing assurance and continued assistance to investors.

By centralizing these functions, TISEZA is poised to significantly enhance the ease of doing business in Tanzania, attract more FDI and DDI. create jobs, and accelerate the country's economic growth and industrial development.

In essence, by positioning TISEZA as the single investment entry point, Tanzania is signaling a strong commitment to simplicity, transparency, and investor support, making it easier than ever for both domestic and foreign investors to establish and grow their businesses in the country.