Gilead Teri appointed first director of newly unveiled Investment Authority

Dar es Salaam.  President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Mr Gilead John Teri as the first Director General of the newly formed Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA).

This significant move follows the merger of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), a cornerstone of the government’s ambitious reforms to streamline investment facilitation.

The announcement, made on July 1, 2025 comes hot on the heels of the enactment of the Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 on June 30, 2025. 

The appointment signals a new era for investment in the East African nation.

The establishment of TISEZA is a strategic consolidation, born from a comprehensive 2023 performance review that identified significant overlaps and inefficiencies between various government agencies, including the now-merged TIC and EPZA.

This led to the conclusion that a fragmented investment environment, coupled with high operational costs, necessitated a unified approach.

The new authority, created under Act No 6 of 2025, repeals and replaces the Tanzania Investment Act, 2022, the Export Processing Zones Act, 2002, and the Special Economic Zones Act, 2006.

Its mandate is to harmonise investment facilitation, enhance efficiency in special economic zones, and act as the primary government body for investment coordination, promotion, and facilitation.

Mr Teri, an accomplished economist and former executive director of TIC, is now tasked with spearheading the operationalisation of TISEZA.

His role will be pivotal in overseeing the transformation of Tanzania’s investment landscape under this unified framework.

Analysts view the creation of TISEZA as a shrewd strategic move to bolster Tanzania’s appeal as a competitive destination for investors.

The aim is to significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles, strengthen institutional coordination, and align national investment promotion efforts with global best practices.

This aligns seamlessly with President Samia’s broader economic agenda, which prioritises industrialisation, innovation, and inclusive growth through the creation of a more conducive business environment.

A New Dawn for Business in Tanzania

The core promise of TISEZA is a streamlined and efficient investment process. Historically, both foreign and domestic investors have grappled with the complexities of interacting with multiple agencies, each with its own procedures.

TISEZA is set to consolidate these services, effectively acting as a 'one-stop shop' for investors.

This is expected to drastically reduce bureaucratic hurdles, minimise delays, and ultimately improve the ease of doing business in Tanzania, thereby boosting investor confidence and attracting greater capital.

A significant feature of the new legislation is the introduction of a unified electronic system for all investment processes.

This system will connect various government agencies involved in issuing permits, licences, and approvals, making it easier for investors to access all necessary services under a single digital roof.

Furthermore, the establishment of a central land bank will provide crucial information on both government-designated investment land and privately-owned land available for lease, addressing a common bottleneck for investors.

Beyond streamlining, the merger is anticipated to yield substantial cost reductions by eliminating redundant administrative structures and optimising resource allocation.

This will not only make the investment process more efficient but also enhance the financial sustainability of the investment sector.

The new agency is also poised to significantly improve investor care, offering a more integrated and holistic approach to investment facilitation.

The formation of a National Investment Development Committee, tasked with approving investment plans and recommending incentives for strategic investors, will provide clearer policy direction and more targeted support.

By presenting a centralised and streamlined service, TISEZA is set to strengthen Tanzania’s position as a regional hub for trade and investment, making the investment environment more predictable and investor-friendly.

While the advantages are clear, the operationalisation of TISEZA and the full realisation of its benefits will undoubtedly present challenges.

However, the government's commitment to these reforms, as evidenced by the swift enactment of the Investment and Special Economic Zones Act, 2025, underscores a determined effort to unlock Tanzania’s full economic potential.