Registration of Special Wildlife Investments in Tanzania

Registration of Special Wildlife Investments in Tanzania

For an investor to invest in the protected wildlife areas in Tanzania, there has to be a designated special wildlife investment concession area and the investor has to be granted a special wildlife investment concession through a contract with the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (“the Authority”).

Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas refers to the areas within the Game reserves and Game controlled areas which have been designated by the responsible minister for investment purposes.

Special Wildlife Investment Concession means a contract between the authority and an individual, corporation or other legally recognized entity (“Investor”) which grants user rights to an investor to access and utilize wildlife resources in multiple tourism related activities for commercial use.

Registration for investment in a special wildlife concession investment area is done through an application for a certificate of special wildlife concession investment. The investor may be granted user rights in a competitive process through the following 2 ways;

1. Solicited proposals, where the potential investors submit written proposals in response to a call initiated by the authority.
2. Unsolicited proposal, where the potential investors take the initiative to submit written proposals to the authority.

Criteria for grant of Special Wildlife Investment Concession

1. Minimum investment capital

1. Local Company must have an investment capital of not less than USD 20 Million
2. Where a local company is 100% owned by Tanzanians, not less than USD 10 Million.
3. Foreign Company must have an investment capital of not less than USD 50 Million

1. High capability to support public efforts in the conservation of wildlife resources
2. Commitment to provide to provide security for the performance of the contract by submitting a refundable bond of 10% of the minimum investment capital except for a local company 100% owned by Tanzanians shall submit 5%.

Procedure for grant of Special Wildlife Investment Concession

1. Submission of either solicited or unsolicited proposal.
2. Conduct of preliminary assessment (pre-feasibility study for unsolicited) and notification of either receipt or rejection.
3. Conduct of detailed assessment (feasibility study for unsolicited) and due diligence.
4. Approval or rejection of the proposal by the Board of Directors of Tanzania Wildlife Authority.
5. Award of concession contract by the Authority. 
6. Grant of Certificate of Special Wildlife Investment Concession which allows investment for tourism product and services for up to 30 years.

Adv. Fredy Julius Sanga & Adv. Valentina Clifford.