Tiseza wins a global investment award for third straight year

DAR ES SALAAM:  The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) has been named Africa’s Best Investment Promotion Agency for 2026, marking the third consecutive year the authority has received international recognition at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Global Foundation Awards.

The award was presented at the AIM Global Foundation Awards in Dubai this week, where Tiseza was recognised for its role in promoting and facilitating investment on the continent.

The recognition comes as Tanzania’s registered investment projects more than tripled over the past five years, rising from 252 projects in 2021 to 915 in 2025, according to Tiseza data.

Over the same period, the value of approved investment capital almost tripled, increasing from $3.7 billion in 2021 to $10.95 billion in 2025.

Receiving the award, Tiseza board member Felista Lelo said the award was a great honour for Tanzania and the institution, describing it as a reflection of the confidence the international community has in the country’s investment environment.

She said the recognition demonstrated the results of efforts by the government and Tiseza to create a more enabling environment for investors, noting that the reforms had helped attract both domestic and foreign investment.

“The award is a great honor for the nation and also for Tiseza. It shows the confidence that the world has in Tanzania and reflects the results of efforts being made by our government and our institution to create an enabling investment environment,” she said.

According to her, Tiseza had recorded significant changes since its establishment and reforms, particularly in improving and simplifying services provided to investors.

Ms Lelo said Tanzania had also intensified efforts to promote its investment opportunities internationally, while improving laws and policies to align them with global developments and the implementation of the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.

She said the award would motivate the board to further improve the institution’s performance.

“It reminds us that the world is watching us and that the nation is counting on us. Therefore, we have a major responsibility to ensure that we continue improving the performance of our institution,” she said.

Ms Lelo added that Tiseza would continue strengthening cooperation with other countries to create opportunities and help Tanzania benefit from investment opportunities available globally.

On the other hand, authority’s Director General Gilead Teri said the recognition marked the third consecutive year the authority had received global awards in different categories.

Furthermore AIM foundation brings together investment authorities and special economic zones from across the globe to review performance and recognise institutions driving impactful investments, for 2026, Tiseza has been named the top investment agency on the African continent in promoting and enabling investment.

He noted that in 2025, the authority won top honors for its use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through its One-Stop Facilitation Center, which integrates digital platforms for seamless investor support.

Mr Teri attributed the achievement directly to ongoing business and regulatory reforms spearheaded by President Samia Suluhu Hassan since 2021.

“I can boldly state that within Africa, there is no country more investor friendly or with a more conducive business climate than Tanzania,” he said.

He added that President Samia’s leadership prioritises value creation, decent livelihoods for citizens, domestic manufacturing, and expanding Tanzania’s trade footprint across the East African Community (EAC) and the entire African continent.

Addressing the impact of structural reforms, Mr Teri highlighted the government’s July 1, 2025 decision to merge the former Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to form Tiseza under Act No. 6 of 2025.

“This structural overhaul allows investors to access all essential services from registration to land acquisition under a single roof,” he said.