Khamis Juma Khamis (second right), Executive Director of BPRA, hands over a certificate to one of the companies that filed its 2024 annual return on time. On the left is Rashid Masoud, BPRA’s Assistant Registrar of Business Names. The event took place at the BPRA building, Mazizini, Zanzibar.
As a top-tier tourist haven famed globally for its pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, lush forests, rich history and culture as well as unique spice trade heritage, investment inflow is the lifeline of Zanzibar’s development.
With the current efforts of the government to diversify the economy from the traditional dominant beach tourism and antiquities, with focus on other areas such as development of small islands for holiday homes and blue economy, the response has been so far so good.
Surge in registration of businesses seeking footprint in Zanzibar
In Zanzibar, registration of businesses is an unshared mandate of the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), an institution under the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
In the current 2024/2025 financial year, BPRA has registered a total of 1,645 companies which includes both local companies and foreign companies, as other applications are still being processed.
On the side of business names, the Agency has registered 2,110 sole proprietorship and 184 partnerships. These unprecedented figures highlight the increasing confidence and continued growth of business activities among local Zanzibari due to islands’ favourable business environment.
“These numbers reflect Zanzibar’s growing economy and its attractiveness as a hub for trade, investment and business opportunities in the region. Zanzibar remains open and committed to creating an enabling business environment,” says BPRA Executive Director, Mr. Khamis Juma Khamis in a statement to ZiBi Magazine.
Khamis Juma Khamis, Executive Director of the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), addresses a press briefing on the agency’s initiatives and highlights the strong partnerships BPRA has developed with media outlets locally and internationally in recognition of their pivotal role in promoting transparency and investment awareness
Strategic location
It should be remembered that Zanzibar is positioning itself as a preferred investment and logistics gateway in East Africa due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and its integration into regional trade blocs like the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
To make this a reality, the Government is modernizing and expanding port infrastructure, improving global and regional connectivity, and implementing policies to attract investors, creating significant opportunities for trade, logistics and tourism.
Since 2022, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar opened doors for domestic and foreign investors to explore over 50 islets for sustainable investments to achieve the economic transformation and aspiration of Zanzibar Development Vision 2050, which is the islands’ blueprint for responsible and sustainable economic growth.
Registration of documents
Document registration in Zanzibar operates under the Registration of Documents Decree Cap. 99 of 1919, “mandating formal registration of documents relating to immovable and other movable property in order to ensure proper legal recognition,” the Executive Director says.
The law obligates all documents purporting or operating to create, declare, assign, limit, or extinguish any right, title, or interest, whether vested or contingent to, in, or over immovable property in Zanzibar be registered.
On the side of business names, the Agency has registered 2,110 sole proprietorship and 184 partnerships.
Any investor has to heed this law requirement when they acquire any right, title or interest in land itself or in apartment in the real estate projects which are booming up now days.
“In the 2024/25 financial year, BPRA processed 12,525 registered documents,” he reveals, “an indication of rising demand among citizens, property owners and investors to secure their rights through formal registration.”
“Immovable property documents-sale agreements, gift deeds, leases, mortgages-must, under Section 4 of the Decree, be registered to gain legal validity,” he emphasizes, “so that claimants can assert and verify rights over land or buildings within a transparent legal framework.”
“Movable property documents cover assets that can be physically transferred, such as vehicles, through instruments like sale agreements and transfer deeds,” he notes.
“Meanwhile, miscellaneous documents, likes affidavits, deed pool, personal agreements, power of attorney etc., benefit significantly from registration.”
“From the Government’s and public’s perspective, registration offers multiple advantages: it becomes strong evidence in court, making ownership claims enforceable, reducing risk of fraud or competing claims, revenue from registration fees, more reliable land administration, reduced litigation, and enhanced investor confidence,” the Executive Director explains. “It is not merely a formality but a vital service contributing to economic growth.”
Ahmed Burhan (right), from Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), explains key aspects of the company registration process under Zanzibar law to on-site session at Mapinduzi Square, Michenzani, Zanzibar. Eng. Salha I. Laiser (centre) and Eng. Christina Kumba (left) from Arusha during an on-site session at Mapinduzi Square Michenzani, Zanzibar.
Industrial Property Registration
In the same financial year, BPRA has registered a total of 1032 trademarks, 454 service marks, 5 industrial designs and 4 patents. Such registrations of industrial property are of paramount importance because they provide legal protection to innovators, creators and brand owners.
The recognitions offer exclusive rights to owners such as right to sell, manufacture, license and reproduction, hence preventing others from using or coping without the authorization of the owner.
Registration also encourages investment, trade, invention, and fosters innovation. It enhances competitiveness of Zanzibar-based businesses locally and internationally and supports Government revenue generation through fees and taxes while also promoting consumer confidence by safeguarding quality and origin.
To ensure investors and innovators get quality services, BPRA has implemented a number of initiatives, including digitalization of industrial property services to transition from manual to online registration systems. This project is ongoing. In the coming months, BPRA will facilitate legislation of franchise law and joint venture law so that investors will have a broad range of business models aside the company model which is in place as of now.
BPRA works closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AFRIPI) and Japan Patent Office (JPO).
To address long-standing barriers to enterprise development, the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development, in April 2025, launched two landmark policy frameworks: The Zanzibar Blueprint for Regulatory Framework on the Improvement of Business Environment and the Zanzibar Trade Policy 2024. BPRA has also undertaken policy reforms including drafting Intellectual Property Policy which is in final stages and review of the Zanzibar Industrial Property Act, No. 4 of 2008.
Going forward, BPRA seeks to implement its mission to standardize and simplify business and property registration and operations by adopting recognized and modern management practices.
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