COMPANY INCORPORATION IN ZANZIBAR

It is important to note that the Companies laws of Tanzania Mainland do not apply also in Zanzibar. Hence, a company registered in Tanzania Zanzibar is not regarded as a local Company. Therefore, for a company to be registered in Tanzania Zanzibar the following have to be fulfilled.

One has to first visit the Online Registration System Zanzibar Requirements to access the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency. And should have obtained the Zanzibar Identification number for Zanzibar citizens or National Identification number for Tanzania Mainland citizens and a passport number for foreigners.

Other requirements for company incorporation in Tanzania Zanzibar include;

• Memorandum and article of association
• Foreign company
• Certified copy of memorandum and article
• Certified copy of the certificate of Incorporation
• Current Annual return
• Current Tax Identification Number
• Authorization letter
• Board resolution
• Zanzibar Identification number or National Identification number or valid passport of all of the company Directors and Company Secretaries.
• All Applicants must have an E-mail.

The other compliance requirements are more or less the same as those of Tanzania Mainland.

Registration of a foreign company as a branch/Subsidiary Company in Tanzania Zanzibar

A foreign company can be registered in Tanzania or Zanzibar if such a company has an established place of business in Tanzania or Zanzibar. A foreign company is not deemed to have a place of business in Tanzania or Zanzibar solely on account of its doing business through an agent in Tanzania at the place of business of the agent.

A foreign company seeking to establish a place of business in Tanzania or Zanzibar must deliver the following documents to the Registrar of Companies:

• Certified copy of memorandum and articles of association or other instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company. If the instrument is not in English, a certified translation is required.
• A list of directors and company secretary of the company.
• A statement of all subsisting charges created by the company.
• Names and addresses of one or more persons, resident in Tanzania authorized to accept on behalf of the company service of process and any other notice required to be served on the company and to represent the company as its permanent representative at its place of business (with a statement as to the extent of its authority).
• The full address of the registered principal office of the company and the full address of the place of business in Tanzania.
• A statutory declaration made by the director or secretary of the company stating the date on which the company’s place of business in Tanzania was established, the business that is to be carried on, and if different from the registered name of the company, the name under which that business is to be carried on.
• A copy of the most recent accounts and related reports of the company including, if not in English, a translation of the same.

On completion of the registration, the foreign company will be issued with a Certificate of Compliance from Business Registration and Licensing Agency in Tanzania Mainland or Zanzibar Property and Business Registration in Zanzibar

Once a foreign company is registered in Tanzania or Zanzibar, it has the same powers as if it were a company incorporated in Tanzania or Zanzibar, and is therefore subject to the laws of that Region.

A foreign company that has established a branch in Tanzania must file, among other things, annual accounts in respect of that branch in every calendar year.