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The Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) has reported notable progress in strengthening business formalisation in Tanzania, as more entrepreneurs continue to register and operate within the formal economy following ongoing government reforms aimed at improving the business environment.
Presenting the Ministry of Industry and Trade budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year in Parliament in Dodoma on May 22, 2026, Minister Judith Kapinga said BRELA’s performance reflects increased efficiency in service delivery and rising awareness among citizens on the importance of formalising businesses.
She said that by April 2026, BRELA had registered 16,864 companies, achieving 86 percent of its annual target of 19,640.
The agency also registered 30,631 business names, reaching 91 percent of the planned target, indicating growing participation of Tanzanians in formal business registration.
In addition, BRELA registered 2,804 trademarks and service marks, achieving 78 percent of its target, and issued 42 industrial certificates.
In the area of innovation and intellectual property, the agency exceeded expectations by granting 44 patents against a target of 40, representing 110 percent performance.
Industrial development also recorded strong progress, with BRELA issuing 512 industrial licences, surpassing its target of 437 and achieving 117 percent performance. A total of 19,110 Class “A” business licences were also issued, reaching 89 percent of the annual target.
Minister Kapinga further said BRELA intensified compliance monitoring, which led to the blocking of renewal for 901 business licences following verification exercises.
Out of these, 737 were import-related businesses, five were postal and courier services operating across borders, 119 were real estate brokerage firms, and 86 were freight transport operators.
She said the measure is part of efforts to ensure fairness, compliance, and a level playing field in the business sector.
The ministry also reported progress in improving transparency through beneficial ownership disclosure. A total of 632 companies were inspected in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, where 398 companies (63 percent) submitted beneficial ownership information. In addition, 562 companies (89 percent) complied with filing annual returns, strengthening accountability and corporate governance in the private sector.
To further improve the business environment, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and other stakeholders, has completed reviews of key business laws.
These include the Companies Act (Cap. 212), Business Names Registration Act (Cap. 213), Trade and Service Marks Act (Cap. 326), Patents Registration Act (Cap. 217), and Merchandise Marks Act (Cap. 85).
The reviewed laws are now awaiting final approval, a step expected to further simplify business procedures and reduce regulatory barriers.
Minister Kapinga said the reforms are part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance efficiency, transparency, and private sector growth, stressing that a strong and well-regulated business environment is key to attracting investment and supporting economic development.
For the 2026/2027 financial year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested a total budget of 137.81 billion shillings for recurrent and development expenditure.
Of this amount, 104.12 billion shillings has been allocated for recurrent costs, including 78.05 billion shillings for salaries and 26.07 billion shillings for other operational expenses.
A further 33.69 billion shillings has been set aside for development projects, all financed domestically.
The government says continued strengthening of institutions such as BRELA will help expand business formalisation, improve compliance, and support the growth of Tanzania’s private sector as a key driver of the national economy.
