The core functions of the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) are:
- regulate and administer investment activities in Zanzibar including Free Economic Zones
with due regard to the principles of openness, competitiveness and transparency; - promote Zanzibar as attractive investment, business destination and export platform;
- be a focal point for promotion and facilitation of investments and business;
- provide institutional support for economic development and ensure coherent economic and
business policy formulation; - promote, sensitize and facilitate internal and external investment and ensure conducive business environment;
- be main institution responsible for Zanzibar branding for investment promotion;
- facilitate both inward and outward investment and ensure conducive business environment; and
- provide institutional support on the development and administration of Free Economic Zones.
ZIPA as a One Stop Centre
The One Stop Centre in Zanzibar is an investment facilitation mechanism which brings relevant government agencies to ZIPA to provide efficient and transparent services to investors. It provides investors with a single place to pick up all documents and approvals that are statutorily needed to set up their investment projects. The One Stop Centre services at ZIPA aimed at removing obstacles and overcome bureaucracy faced by investors in the establishment as well as implementation of their investment projects. The One Stop Centre wing at ZIPA offers a wide range of services which include the facilitation of :
- General information and necessary data to facilitate investment decision
- Registration of Companies
- Tax Payer Identification Number
- Project Approval
- Acquisition of Land
- Environmental Issues
- Building Permits
- Investment Incentives
- Work and Residence Permits
- Opening of Foreign and Local Accounts
- Business Permits and Licenses
ZIPA has long term cooperation with international institutions that are working together in supporting investments. These include UNIDO, UNDP, MIGA, WAIPA, UNCTAD and EABC