The government has rebuilt its investment framework from the ground up to eliminate fragmented bureaucracy. To establish a more investor-friendly environment, the government enacted the TISEZA Act which merged the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) into a single, agency known as the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA). This critical reform consolidated multiple investment windows that were previously spread across various ministries into one streamlined pipeline.
How the One Stop Facilitation Centre (OSFC) Works
Within TISEZA’s structural reform is The One-Stop Facilitation Centre (OSFC). The OSFC acts as a single point of contact for investors by integrating an electronic system for online investment facilitation services. Instead of navigating multiple government ministries, departments, and agencies to secure separate permits, investors can now initiate and process almost all of their administrative requirements through this single digital window.
Integrated Institutional Services
TISEZA brings together ministerial representatives and regulatory bodies directly into its framework. The following services are currently integrated and available directly through the OSFC system:
- Immigration Services: Handling residence and entry permits for foreign investors and expatriate staff.
- Labour Services: Managing employment regulations, work permits, and labor compliance localizations.
- Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA): Facilitating tax identification registration, domestic revenue compliance, and fiscal incentives administration.
- Ministry of Lands and Human Settlements Services: Facilitating streamlined land acquisition, allocation, and derivative rights for projects.
- Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS): Overseeing product quality verification and compliance with national standards.
- Business Registration and Licensing Authority (BRELA): Providing seamless corporate registration and enterprise naming approvals.
- National Environment Management Council (NEMC): Fast-tracking environmental impact assessments and compliance certifications.
- Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA): Ensuring mandatory workplace safety evaluations and health clearances.
- Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA): Administering safety clearances for consumable, cosmetic, and medical goods.
- National Identification Authority (NIDA): Managing national identity verification protocols for domestic business operations.
- Ministry of Agriculture and The Mining Commission: Ensuring rapid on-site regulatory clearances for primary sector projects.
For coordinated development, TISEZA aligns closely with the President’s Office Planning and Investment framework and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Cross-border logistics and regional setups integrate with the Immigration Services Department, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, and the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA)to maintain an open investment corridor.
The OSFC brings operational advantages by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, saving time, and providing a clear point of accountability for businesses. The efficiency of OSFC is evident in the country’s economic indicators. TISEZA reported US$3.22 billion in new investment commitments across 250 registered projects in 2025. Also, this approach facilitates business growth, improves efficiency, and supports sustainable economic development.
The overall system demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and attracting both local and foreign investment.
