Tanzania

Here’s what we need to verify your business in Tanzania. Have these documents ready before you sign up and onboarding takes less than 15 minutes.

Checklist

• Business registration document

• Shareholder register, if shareholders aren’t listed on your registration document

• ID for your legal representatives and every shareholder owning 5% or more

• Proof of business address

• Business licence (recommended, as most businesses need one)

If your business operates in a regulated sector (for example financial services, money transfer, transport or healthcare), we’ll also need a copy of your licence or operating permit. Not sure if this applies to you? Just ask us.

1. Business registration document

Accepted documents by company type:

The document must be valid, issued by an official government authority, and clearly show:

• Your company’s registered name, and trading name if different

• Your company number (TIN)

• Your registered business address

• The full names of your directors

• A description of your business activity

2. Shareholder register

Only needed if your Certificate of Incorporation doesn’t list your shareholders and their ownership percentage. The document must show the full name of each shareholder and the percentage each one holds.

NGOs and societies always need to provide their constitution together with their Certificate of Registration.

3. ID documents

Legal representatives

We need a valid ID for anyone with the power to legally represent the company. This is usually a director, but it can also be anyone formally granted signing authority or power of attorney. You’ll find who qualifies in your registration documents or any board resolution.

Shareholders

Tanzanian law requires every company to declare all beneficial owners holding 5% or more. We therefore need an ID for each shareholder who owns 5% or more of the company.

Accepted IDs

• Passport

• National ID (NIDA, Tanzanian citizens)

• Driver’s license

• Voter ID (shareholders only)

Every ID must be valid.

4. Proof of business address

The document must be less than 6 months old (lease agreements are accepted regardless of date).

• Utility bill: electricity (TANESCO) or water (DAWASCO)

• Bank statement

• Lease agreement or rent receipt

• If none of these are available, a site visit by our team

Depending on your company type, the document can be in the name of:

5. Business licence

Almost every business operating in Tanzania must hold a valid business licence, so we recommend including it. It’s issued by one of two authorities depending on your activity:

The licence should show your business name, the permitted activity, the issuing authority and the validity period. Licences are renewed every year. Businesses in regulated sectors (finance, petroleum, shipping…) also hold a separate sector permit. Please include it too.