The Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) - Dar es Salaam - Tanzania

The Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) of Tanzania was established in 2006 as an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to oversee Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and implement government policy on export-oriented industrialization. It operates through a Board of Directors and is led by a Director General supported by professional management staff. EPZA serves as a one-stop shop for investors, managing licensing, company registration, work and resident permits, and facilitating customs, environmental and other regulatory approvals. The Authority develops and maintains zone infrastructure—roads, water, electricity and serviced land—often in partnership with private investors under public-private partnerships.

To attract export-focused projects, EPZA grants ten-year exemptions from corporate tax, withholding taxes on dividends, interest and rent, as well as customs duties and VAT on raw materials, machinery and utilities . It also waives property taxes and stamp duties on zone-related transactions during the first decade of operation. Over 87 EPZ enterprises have invested more than USD 1.15 billion in existing zones, with key parks including Kamal, Global, Millennium Business Park and Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ. These zones host factories such as Tanzania Tooku Garment in the Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ, which alone employs over 5 000 people. Through these efforts, EPZA has diversified Tanzania’s export base into textiles, agro-processing, light manufacturing and assembly, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.