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Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory Compliance in Tanzania

Licensing, permits and ongoing compliance for businesses in regulated sectors, with a proven record in energy and petroleum: more than eight years as compliance counsel with zero material breaches.

Overview

Stay licensed, compliant and ahead of regulatory change

Tanzania's regulatory framework is expanding, and businesses in energy, petroleum, mining, telecommunications and trade face close oversight from sector regulators. A lapsed licence, a missed filing or a misunderstood new rule can lead to penalties, suspension or reputational damage, and can distract management from running the business.

Nkola Attorneys helps businesses obtain the licences and permits they need, build practical compliance programmes and monitor regulatory change so obligations are met before they become problems. We do not just tell you what the law says; we help you put it into practice.

Our compliance work is proven over time. We have been retained as ongoing compliance counsel for a petroleum sector client for more than eight years, providing continuous regulatory monitoring, risk identification and advice on emerging obligations, with zero material compliance breaches over the engagement.

How we help

Our regulatory compliance services

Licensing, permits and ongoing compliance in regulated sectors.

  • 01

    Licensing and permits

    Applications, renewals and variations of business licences and sector licences, including petroleum and energy licences, with careful tracking of conditions and expiry dates.

  • 02

    Compliance monitoring

    Retained compliance support with a calendar of filings, renewals and reporting deadlines, and regular updates on new laws, regulations and regulator guidance that affect you.

  • 03

    Risk assessments and compliance reviews

    Structured reviews of your operations against legal and licence requirements, identifying gaps and giving you a prioritised plan to close them.

  • 04

    Energy and petroleum regulation

    Advice on the regulatory regimes governing petroleum supply, storage, distribution and retail, and on dealings with EWURA and other energy sector authorities.

  • 05

    Telecommunications and data

    Advice on telecommunications licensing and on personal data protection obligations, including registration and compliance under Tanzania's data protection law.

  • 06

    Regulator engagement

    Support with inspections, compliance notices, queries and enforcement actions, including preparing responses and representing you in discussions with regulators.

Who we advise

Clients we work with

  • Petroleum and energy companies
  • Mining companies and mining service providers
  • Telecommunications and technology businesses
  • Importers, exporters and traders
  • Foreign investors operating in regulated sectors
  • SMEs building a compliance culture as they grow

Legal framework

Key laws and regulators

Business Licensing Act, Cap. 208
General business licensing requirements.
Petroleum Act, 2015
Regulation of upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum activities.
EWURA
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority, which licenses midstream and downstream petroleum.
PURA
The Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority, for exploration and production.
Mining Act, Cap. 123
Mineral rights, the Mining Commission and local content.
Electronic and Postal Communications Act
Telecommunications licensing, administered by TCRA.
Personal Data Protection Act, 2022
Collection and processing of personal data.

Our approach

How we work with you

  1. 1

    Review

    We assess your activities, licences and current compliance position.

  2. 2

    Plan

    We identify gaps and set out a clear, prioritised compliance plan.

  3. 3

    Implement

    We secure licences, prepare policies and complete the necessary filings.

  4. 4

    Monitor

    We track deadlines and regulatory change, and advise you before obligations fall due.

Case highlight · Energy sector

Long-term compliance mandate

Retained as compliance counsel for a petroleum sector client for more than eight years: continuous regulatory monitoring, risk identification and advice on new obligations, with zero material compliance breaches over the engagement.

See our track record

FAQs

Regulatory Compliance: frequently asked questions

Which regulator licenses petroleum businesses in Tanzania?

Midstream and downstream petroleum activities, such as storage, wholesale, distribution and retail, are licensed and regulated by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA). Upstream exploration and production are regulated by the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA). Depending on your activities, other approvals may also apply.

What happens if my business licence expires?

Operating without a valid licence can expose a business to fines, closure orders and difficulty renewing or obtaining other permits. If a licence has lapsed, it is important to act quickly. We help regularise your position and put monitoring in place so renewals are not missed again.

What does a retained compliance service include?

A retained compliance service typically includes a compliance calendar, reminders of filings and renewals, regular regulatory updates, ad hoc advice on new obligations and support with regulator correspondence. It is tailored to your sector and the size of your operations.

Does Tanzania's data protection law apply to my business?

If your business collects or processes personal data in Tanzania, such as customer, employee or supplier information, the Personal Data Protection Act, 2022 is likely to apply. Obligations can include registration with the Personal Data Protection Commission and putting appropriate safeguards in place. We can assess your position.

How long have you provided compliance counsel?

Our longest compliance mandate is with a petroleum sector client and spans more than eight years of continuous regulatory oversight, with zero material compliance breaches over the engagement.

Related services

Explore our other practice areas

This page provides general information about Tanzanian law and our services. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change, so please contact us for advice on your specific circumstances.

Get in touch

Talk to us about regulatory compliance

Tell us what your business is facing. We will listen and explain your options.

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