AFCON 2027 in Tanzania: A Foreign Investor’s Guide to Company Registration, Brand Protection and Regulatory Compliance

AFCON 2027 in Tanzania will create significant opportunities for foreign investors looking to establish or expand businesses in the country. Hospitality businesses, event companies, logistics providers, media companies, technology businesses, retailers, food and beverage operators and merchandise businesses may all benefit from increased commercial activity before and during the tournament.

For investors planning to enter Tanzania, however, registering a company is only the beginning. The more expensive mistakes often arise from choosing the wrong corporate structure, misunderstanding the difference between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, launching a brand before protecting it, employing foreign nationals without the appropriate permits, or starting commercial operations before obtaining the required licences.

AFCON 2027 is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda serving as the host countries. For businesses targeting Tanzania, preparation should begin well before the tournament.

This guide explains the key steps foreign investors should consider when establishing and operating a business in Tanzania ahead of AFCON 2027.

1. Why AFCON 2027 matters for foreign investors

AFCON 2027 is expected to generate increased commercial activity across Tanzania and the wider East African region.

Potential opportunities include:

• Hotels, serviced apartments and short-term accommodation
• Restaurants, cafés and food businesses
• Tourism and travel services
• Event management and entertainment
• Transport and logistics
• Security services
• Digital platforms and ticketing services
• Media and content production
• Sports merchandise and retail
• Advertising and marketing
• Technology and telecommunications services
• Construction and infrastructure-related businesses
• Importation and distribution of consumer goods

For a foreign investor, the opportunity is significant—but entering the Tanzanian market requires more than simply incorporating a company.

The investor should establish the correct corporate structure, identify sector-specific licences, protect intellectual property, understand tax obligations and determine whether the proposed investment requires registration with the relevant investment authority.

2. Choosing the right business structure in Tanzania

A foreign investor entering Tanzania will generally consider one of several structures.

Private company limited by shares

A Tanzanian private company limited by shares is commonly used where the investor intends to establish an ongoing local business.

The company has a separate legal personality from its shareholders and can enter contracts, employ staff, open bank accounts, acquire assets and conduct business in its own name.

This structure may be appropriate for:

• Hospitality businesses
• Trading companies
• Technology businesses
• Event companies
• Logistics companies
• Consulting businesses
• Manufacturing operations
• Tourism businesses

Branch of a foreign company

A foreign company may also register a branch or external company in Tanzania.

A branch can be appropriate where the foreign parent wants to carry out a defined project or establish a Tanzanian presence without creating a separate subsidiary.

The key distinction is that a branch remains connected to the foreign parent, while a Tanzanian subsidiary has its own separate legal personality.

Joint venture

A foreign investor may also establish a Tanzanian company together with a local or international partner.

A joint venture should be supported by carefully drafted arrangements covering:

• Shareholding
• Funding obligations
• Management and control
• Reserved matters
• Intellectual property
• Profit distribution
• Transfer of shares
• Deadlock
• Exit arrangements
• Dispute resolution

The correct structure depends on the investor’s sector, ownership objectives, investment size, licensing requirements and long-term plans.

3. Company registration with BRELA

A Tanzanian company is incorporated through the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

The incorporation process generally involves determining:

1. The proposed company name
2. Shareholding structure
3. Directors
4. Beneficial owners
5. Registered office
6. Business activities
7. Share capital
8. Constitutional documents
9. Required identification and corporate documents

Foreign investors should not treat incorporation as the completion of the regulatory process.

After incorporation, the company may still need to obtain tax registration, a business licence, sector-specific approvals, investment registration, employment permits and other regulatory registrations before commencing particular activities.

4. TISEZA investment registration and incentives

Investors considering a substantial project should assess whether registration under Tanzania’s investment framework is appropriate.

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) is now the principal institution responsible for Tanzania’s investment and special economic zones framework following the integration of the former Tanzania Investment Centre and EPZA functions.

TISEZA’s investment framework provides mechanisms for qualifying investors to obtain investment certificates and access applicable incentives and investor protections.

Current published guidance indicates a minimum capital threshold of USD 500,000 for wholly foreign-owned or qualifying joint-venture projects, while the threshold for wholly Tanzanian-owned projects is lower.

Because investment thresholds, incentives and sector requirements can change, investors should confirm the applicable requirements with TISEZA at the time of filing.

Importantly, not every foreign business needs an investment certificate simply to incorporate and operate a company. The appropriate registration depends on the nature, size and objectives of the project.

5. Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar are different regulatory environments

One of the most important issues for an investor targeting Tanzania is understanding that Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar have distinct legal and regulatory systems in several areas.

A business planning to operate in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar should not assume that Mainland registrations automatically authorize operations in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has its own investment and business regulatory framework, including the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) and other relevant authorities.

This is particularly important for:

• Hotels and resorts
• Tourism businesses
• Marine and water activities
• Real estate
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Transport
• Investment projects
• Land and property
• Employment and local licensing

An investor planning an AFCON-related business in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should map the regulatory requirements for each location before commencing operations.

6. Protect your brand before launching

A company registration does not automatically protect a business’s brand.

Company names and trademarks are different forms of protection.

A foreign investor planning to launch an AFCON-related product, service, restaurant, hotel, merchandise line or digital platform should consider trademark protection before significant marketing expenditure begins.

In Mainland Tanzania, trademarks are governed principally by the Trade and Service Marks Act.

Zanzibar has a separate industrial property framework.

A proper brand-protection strategy should consider:

• Trademark searches
• Appropriate trademark classes
• Filing strategy
• Ownership of the trademark
• Licensing arrangements
• Brand use by distributors
• Protection of logos and names
• Mainland and Zanzibar protection where applicable

A foreign trademark registration in another country does not automatically provide trademark protection in Tanzania.

7. Imported merchandise and FCC trademark recordation

Foreign investors intending to import branded merchandise into Mainland Tanzania should pay particular attention to trademark recordation requirements.

The Merchandise Marks Act and the Merchandise Marks (Recordation) Regulations, 2025 introduced an important compliance consideration for trademarks associated with imported goods.

Where applicable, trademark owners should consider recordation with the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) before importing branded goods.

This is particularly relevant for businesses planning to import:

• Sportswear
• Shoes
• Bags
• Electronics
• Promotional products
• Consumer goods
• Branded event merchandise

A brand-protection strategy should therefore consider both trademark registration and customs/border enforcement requirements.

8. Do not market your business as an official AFCON partner without authorization

AFCON-related marketing presents another intellectual property and competition risk.

A business may want to use phrases, logos, tournament imagery or other branding to attract customers during the tournament.

However, businesses should distinguish between:

• Legitimate advertising around a major sporting event; and
• Creating the impression that a business is an official tournament sponsor, partner, supplier or licensee.

Using protected marks or creating a misleading association with the tournament without authorization can expose a business to intellectual property, advertising and competition-related risks.

Businesses should obtain appropriate authorization before using protected tournament branding or representing themselves as officially associated with AFCON.

9. Business licences and sector-specific approvals

After incorporation, a company must identify the licences required for its actual business activities.

The requirements depend on the sector.

For example, businesses operating in:

• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Food and beverages
• Transport
• Events
• Media
• Security
• Import and distribution
• Construction
• Mining
• Technology
• Financial services

may require additional approvals beyond company registration.

The mistake to avoid is assuming:

Certificate of incorporation = permission to trade.

It does not.

The investor should prepare a regulatory checklist based on the actual activities, location, ownership and business model.

10. Tax registration and ongoing compliance

A Tanzanian company will generally need to address its tax obligations with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

Depending on the business, this can include:

• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
• Corporate income tax
• Value Added Tax (VAT), where applicable
• Withholding tax
• Payroll-related obligations
• Electronic fiscal and tax systems
• Tax filings
• Tax clearance requirements

VAT treatment differs between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the applicable tax position should be confirmed according to the location and nature of the transaction.

Foreign investors should also consider withholding tax when making payments to foreign service providers, consultants, management companies and other non-residents.

11. Employing foreign nationals

AFCON-related businesses may want to bring foreign managers, technical specialists, event personnel, consultants or other employees into Tanzania.

Foreign nationals generally require the appropriate immigration and employment authorization.

The investor should determine:

• Whether a work permit is required
• The appropriate work permit category
• The appropriate residence status
• Whether the position qualifies for the relevant permit
• The required employment documentation
• Employer compliance obligations
• Local staffing and training considerations

Short-term assignments should also be assessed carefully rather than assuming that a visitor or business visa permits employment.

Work and immigration planning should begin early because permit processing can affect the timing of a commercial launch.

12. Data protection and digital businesses

Many AFCON-related businesses will collect personal information from customers.

Examples include:

• Hotel guest information
• Ticketing information
• Customer databases
• Online registrations
• Payment information
• Marketing databases
• Employee records
• Mobile applications

Businesses processing personal data in Tanzania should assess their obligations under the Personal Data Protection Act and the applicable regulatory requirements.

Where personal data is processed through foreign cloud infrastructure or transferred outside Tanzania, the business should also assess the applicable requirements for cross-border data transfers.

13. Contracts investors should have before launching

A foreign investor should not wait until a dispute occurs before putting the basic contractual framework in place.

Depending on the business, this may include:

Shareholders’ agreement

For businesses with multiple shareholders, the agreement should address ownership, management, funding, reserved matters, transfer restrictions, deadlock and exit.

Lease agreement

The investor should conduct appropriate due diligence before committing to commercial premises.

This is particularly important for hotels, restaurants, warehouses, retail outlets and event venues.

Supplier agreements

Supplier contracts should clearly address:

• Product specifications
• Delivery
• Payment
• Warranties
• Intellectual property
• Liability
• Termination

Employment contracts

Foreign and local employees should have appropriate contracts and workplace policies.

Distribution agreements

Where products are imported and distributed through Tanzanian partners, the agreement should clearly define territories, pricing, intellectual property rights and responsibilities.

Customer terms

Consumer-facing businesses should have clear terms and conditions, refund policies and other applicable consumer-protection arrangements.

14. Start preparing before the AFCON deadline

A business planning to launch shortly before AFCON 2027 should not wait until 2027 to begin regulatory preparation.

A practical timeline could look like this:

6–12 months before launch

• Determine the business model
• Choose the corporate structure
• Conduct ownership and sector analysis
• Register the company
• Assess TISEZA requirements
• Identify Mainland/Zanzibar requirements
• Begin trademark searches and filings

3–6 months before launch

• Obtain business and sector licences
• Complete tax registrations
• Establish banking arrangements
• Apply for relevant work and residence permits
• Finalize premises
• Execute supplier and distribution agreements
• Complete data protection compliance

1–3 months before launch

• Confirm all licences
• Confirm tax compliance
• Finalize employment arrangements
• Confirm trademark and brand use
• Review marketing materials
• Check import and customs requirements
• Conduct final regulatory compliance review

The exact timeline will depend on the sector and the approvals required.

15. Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Tanzania?

Foreign ownership is permitted in many sectors, but ownership and licensing restrictions can apply to particular activities. Investors should check the specific sector rules before establishing the business.

Do I need TISEZA registration to establish a company?

Not every foreign business requires an investment certificate simply to incorporate a Tanzanian company. TISEZA registration should be assessed based on the nature, size and objectives of the investment.

Does company registration protect my trademark?

No.

A company name registration and trademark registration are separate matters. A business should protect its brand separately.

Does a Mainland Tanzania company automatically operate in Zanzibar?

No. Zanzibar has its own regulatory and investment framework. Businesses operating there should assess the applicable Zanzibar registrations, licences and approvals.

Can I employ foreign workers immediately after incorporating a company?

Not automatically. Foreign employees generally require the appropriate employment and immigration authorization.

How early should I start preparing for AFCON 2027?

For a new foreign investment, starting at least six months before the intended commercial launch is advisable. More complex investments should begin considerably earlier.

Conclusion

AFCON 2027 presents a major commercial opportunity for businesses looking to enter or expand in Tanzania.

But the businesses most likely to benefit will not simply be those that arrive first. They will be those that structure correctly, protect their brands, obtain the right licences and understand Tanzania’s regulatory environment before they begin trading.

For foreign investors, the preparation should cover the entire business lifecycle:

Company formation → Investment registration → Tax → Licensing → Intellectual property → Employment → Immigration → Data protection → Ongoing compliance.

The Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar distinction should also be addressed from the beginning where the investment will operate in both jurisdictions.

GERPAT Solutions assists foreign investors and businesses with company registration, investment and corporate structuring, intellectual property, licensing, tax-registration coordination and ongoing corporate compliance in Tanzania and Zanzibar.

If you are planning an AFCON 2027-related investment in Tanzania, the right time to structure the business is before signing the lease, hiring staff or launching the brand.

GERPAT Solutions – Intellectual Property, Business Formation, Licensing & Corporate Compliance in Tanzania & Zanzibar.

Disclaimer: This article provides general business and regulatory information and should not be treated as a substitute for advice based on the specific facts of an investment. Tanzanian laws, regulations, fees, thresholds and administrative requirements may change. Investors should confirm the requirements applicable to their project and sector before taking action.