NGO Registration in Tanzania; what you need to know

Non-Governmental Organization is regarded simply as a voluntary grouping of individuals or organizations which is autonomous, non-profit sharing organized at a local, national or international level for purposes of enhancing or promoting economic, environmental, religious, social or cultural development or protecting the environment, lobbying or advocating on such issue. NGO registration in Tanzania requires establishment under the auspices of any religious or faith propagating organization, trade union, sports club or community based organization but does not include a trade union, social club, sports club, political party, religious or faith propagating organization or community based organization.

NGO REGISTRATION IN TANZANIA

For the purpose of NGO registration in Tanzania, there are two main categories:

1. Registration at Local Level and;
2. Registration at International Level

The registration at local level is further sub-divided into three levels to include:

1. District Level;
2. Regional Level; and
3. National Level

The NGO regulation provides for appointment of public officers to facilitate registration in the District and Regional levels, where the District Administrative Secretaries (DAS) facilitates at the level of District and the Regional Planning Officers facilitates registration at the Regional level. Assistant Registrars shall be responsible to facilitate registration of Non-Governmental Organizations operating within the District or Region in which they are appointed.

NGO REGISTRATION FORM AND PROCESS

An application for NGO registration will be submitted to the appropriate officer with the following documents:

1. Application fee.
2. Copy of Constitution of the Non-Governmental Organization.
3. Minutes containing full names and signatures of founder members.
4. Personal particulars of office bearers.
5. Address and Physical location of the head office of Non-Governmental Organization.
6. Any other particulars as may be required by the Registrar.

Upon verification of the application and accompanying documents, the Registry at its discretion either approves or denies the application and communicate same to the applicant. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied by decision of the Assistant Registrar may appeal to the Registrar. Or where an applicant is not satisfied by the decision of the Registrar, can further appeal to the Board or to the Minister when not satisfied by the decision of the Board for final determination.

COST OF NGO REGISTRATION IN TANZANIA

INTERNATIONAL NGOS IN TANZANIA

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO’s) are required to have a minimum number of three or more persons at the time of registration, however the NGO’s in Tanzania are member based and the number of members can increase based on the need of each organization.

Application for INGOs shall be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Certificate of incorporation from the Country of Origin as a proof of its existence as a charity, or the same has been registered in the Country of origin for charitable purposes;
2. The governing constitution/by laws of the organization;
3. Minutes containing full names and particulars of founder members;
4. Personal Particulars of office bearers;
5. Address and Physical location of the head office of the NGO in Tanzania;
6. Application Fees and;
7. Any other information required by the Registrar.

Once all of the above requisite requirements are met, the Registrar will register the INGO and issue a certificate of registration.

NGO ACT TANZANIA 2019

The Certificate of Registration is issued by the registrar of societies. Validity period is according to the miscellaneous amendments act No 3 of Tanzania. The law proposes to extend the validity of certificates of registration so that they will last for ten years. Previously there was no time limit provided as to the validity of the certificate of registration unless the NGO had to be wound up either voluntarily or involuntarily.

With the new amendments, an application for renewal of the certificate must be made six months before its expiration, the Board however has the power to refuse renewal of a certificate granted to an organization if they deem that the organization has not adhered to the provisions of the Act or any other written law.

POST REGISTRATION NGO COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS IN TANZANIA

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in Tanzania including International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO’s) are supposed to comply with the followings:

1. To pay fees annually;
2. To prepare report of its activities during the calendar year and;
3. To prepare audited financial reports that shall be made available to their respective Boards, Public and all stakeholders.

The above post registration compliance are mandatory and required to be submitted to the Registrar of NGO’s at the end of each calendar year and failure to do that, the respective NGO shall loose its registration status in Tanzania.

Certificate of Compliance

Upon compliance by the NGO at the end of each calendar year, applicants are able to request for certificate of compliance as proof of meeting up with the mandatory post registration requirement, by submitting annual activity report, annual financial audited reports and other documents. Registered NGOs shall pay an annual fee of shillings 50,000/= or USD 60 for International Non-Governmental Organizations.

The application for Certificate of Compliance must be accompanied by the following:

1. Copy of Constitution of the Non-Governmental Organization;
2. Certificate of incorporation;
3. Minutes containing full names and signatures of founder members;
4. Personal particulars of office bearers;
5. Address and Physical location of the head office of Non-Governmental Organization; and
6. Any other particulars as may be required by the Registrar.

REGISTERED NGOS IN TANZANIA

Below is a list of some registered NGOs in Tanzania:

1. Beli Foundation;
2. African Children Life Vision Recovery Foundation;
3. Eden Valley Foster Care Mission;
4. New Life Together;
5. Junior 9 Foundation;
6. Entrepreneur Volunteers and Community Save;
7. Centre of Democracy Human Rights and Legal Assistance (CEDEHURLA);
8. Bongoyo Conservation Group;
9. Task Force for Child Survival and Development; and
10. Mpanda Community Development Network (MCDN)