Investment Policy Monitor
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
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UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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- United Republic of Tanzania - Revises investment regime, including new IPA and SEZ regime
United Republic of Tanzania
Revises investment regime, including new IPA and SEZ regime
13 Feb 2025On 1 July 2025, the United Republic of Tanzania adopted the Investment and Special Economic Zones Act (No. 6 of 2025). The Act introduced significant reforms to the previous legal and institutional frameworks. Key features include:
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Establishment of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) as an autonomous entity with perpetual succession. TISEZA now serves as the principal agency for coordinating, promoting, facilitating and enabling investment in the United Republic of Tanzania, and acts as a one-stop centre for investors. The Act consolidates the functions of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), previously established under the Tanzania Investment Act, 2022, and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), established under the Export Processing Zones Act, 2002 and the Special Economic Zones Act, 2006.
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Creation of an integrated electronic system to link all relevant authorities for licences, permits, approvals and consents, and the establishment of a land bank comprising investment-ready land. While the 2022 Act mandated the TIC to develop an electronic system, the earlier EPZ and SEZ Acts did not contain such provisions. The new framework merges investment facilitation and land access under a unified authority.
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Strengthening of investor protections, including guarantees for the transfer abroad of capital, profits and dividends; protection against expropriation with fair compensation; and equal treatment for foreign and domestic investors. The Act also sets out procedures for complaint handling and dispute resolution (sections 33–40). These protections consolidate provisions found in the 2022 Act and extend them to all zones, moving beyond the limited guidance previously provided under the 2002 and 2006 Acts.
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Provision of unified fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for licensed investors in special economic zones, such as exemptions from certain customs duties, value added tax (VAT), income tax and local government levies. The 2022 Act offered similar incentives; however, the 2002 and 2006 Acts applied only to EPZ and SEZ operators. The 2025 Act brings all such incentives under a single, harmonised regulatory framework.
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Empowerment of TISEZA to establish special economic zones for priority sectors, including industrial parks, EPZs, free trade zones, free ports, tourism clusters, agricultural zones and science and technology parks (section 25). Unlike the 2006 SEZ Act, which was limited in scope, and the 2002 and 2022 Acts, which lacked provisions for defining priority zones, the 2025 Act expands and formalises the mandate for priority sector development.
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Repeal of the Tanzania Investment Act, 2022; the Export Processing Zones Act, 2002; and the Special Economic Zones Act, 2006, with transitional provisions for continuity. The earlier Acts functioned independently, leading to overlapping jurisdictions and fragmented institutional structures. The 2025 Act consolidates investment and zone management under the single authority of TISEZA.
Nature of measure:
- Facilitation
- Promotion
- Other regulatory changes
- Incentives
Type:
- Treatment and operation (Non-discrimination, Nationalizations and expropriations, Capital transfer and FOREX, Dispute settlement)
- Promotion and facilitation (Investment facilitation , Investment incentives, Investment promotion, Special economic zones)
Industry:
- Not industry specific
Inward FDI:
YesOutward FDI:
NoSources:
- Government portal, TISEZA Launched to Streamline Investment in Tanzania, https://www.tiseza.go.tz/news/test, 08 Jul 2025
- Government Portal, Investment and Special Economic Zones (Act No.6 of 2025), https://www.planninginvestment.go.tz/uploads/documents/sw-1751533699-6%20-SHERIA%20YA%20UWEKEZAJI%20NA%20MAENEO%20MAALUMU%20YA%20KIUCHUMI%202025.pdf, 01 Jul 2025
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Share
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