DAR ES SALAAM — The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) has been named Africa’s Best Investment Promotion Agency for 2026, marking its third consecutive global award at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Global Foundation Awards. The recognition, announced during the ceremony in Dubai, highlights Tiseza’s role in advancing investment on the continent. The achievement coincides with a tripling of registered investment projects in Tanzania over five years, rising from 252 in 2021 to 915 in 2025, according to Tiseza data. Approved investment capital also nearly tripled, reaching $10.95 billion in 2025 compared to $3.7 billion in 2021.
Tiseza board member Felista Lelo emphasized the award reflects international confidence in Tanzania’s investment environment, attributing it to government and institutional efforts to streamline processes. “The recognition demonstrates the results of reforms that have attracted both domestic and foreign investment,” she stated. Lelo noted improvements in investor services and Tanzania’s global outreach, including alignment with the Tanzania Development Vision 2050. She also highlighted the authority’s commitment to enhancing performance, stating, “The world is watching us, and the nation is counting on us.”
Tiseza Director General Gilead Teri underscored the award as the third consecutive global recognition, citing the authority’s 2025 ICT-driven One-Stop Facilitation Center as a key factor. He credited President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s business and regulatory reforms since 2021 for creating a “more investor-friendly” climate. “Tanzania offers the most conducive business environment in Africa,” Teri asserted, citing the government’s focus on manufacturing, trade expansion, and citizen livelihoods. He also pointed to the July 1, 2025 merger of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) into Tiseza under Act No. 6 of 2025, which consolidates services from registration to land acquisition under a single entity.
The award underscores Tanzania’s growing appeal to investors, with Tiseza’s reforms and strategic initiatives positioning the country as a regional hub. Teri reiterated the authority’s plans to strengthen international partnerships, stating, “We will continue fostering cooperation to unlock global investment opportunities for Tanzania.” The recognition comes as the nation aims to solidify its economic growth trajectory, leveraging its improved regulatory framework and expanded trade networks within the East African Community and beyond.