Tanzania Type Approval Summary
Tanzania is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing telecommunications markets in East Africa. This is driven by high mobile penetration, widespread adoption of fintech, and the transition to a digital economy.
With an area of approximately 947,303 km² and a population of over 67.5 million, Tanzania represents a telecommunications market worth exploring for manufacturers and suppliers. The first step toward entering this rapidly growing market in East Africa is to understand the applicable compliance requirements.
The applicable compliance requirements in Tanzania are known as “TCRA Type Approval.” TCRA stands for the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, which is the official regulatory body responsible for overseeing the electronic communications and postal sectors in the country.
This authority was established under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act, No. 12 of 2003, which merged the Tanzania Communications Commission (TCC) and the Tanzania Broadcasting Commission (TBC).
To promote fair competition, improve efficiency, and protect consumer interests, TCRA ensures that electronic communications equipment placed on the Tanzanian market complies with applicable technical and regulatory requirements.
Product compliance with the technical requirements in Tanzania must be demonstrated through a TCRA Type Approval Certificate. Understanding this certification process and its requirements will make it easier for manufacturers and sellers to market their telecommunications products in this dynamic and growing East African market.
Who Can Be an Applicant?
- Local representative
- Not required
Type approval in Tanzania may be requested by:
- Local and international manufacturers
- Individuals or companies in Tanzania wishing to import and/or distribute Electronic Communications Equipment for their use or commercial purposes
- Type Approval Agents
Application Method
- In-country testing
- No
The type approval process in Tanzania is primarily document-based. The applicant demonstrates this by showing either an FCC Grant or an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Additionally, a test report from a testing laboratory that conducts conformity assessments for both must be included (the testing laboratory must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025).
In general, Type Approval process procedures shall include:
1. Registration with the Portal
2. Submission of application
3. Application evaluation by the Authority
4. Issuing of an electronic invoice for a successful application
5. Payment by the applicant
6. Issuing of a Type Approval Certificate
Once all required documents have been submitted and deemed acceptable by the authorities, the applicant will receive an invoice for the applicable fees. After the authorities confirm payment, the applicant will receive a certificate that can be downloaded from the Tanzanite portal via the applicant’s account.
Sample Requirements
For all set-top boxes and terminal equipment connecting to cellular networks, the applicant must submit a sample unit of equipment to TCRA for testing or evaluation. For other equipment, the applicant can submit a sample upon request.
The sample submitted shall be accompanied by all necessary accessories required to ensure successful testing. The accessories shall include, but are not limited to, power cables, charging adapters, batteries, and any other components required to facilitate testing.
Document Requirements
The documents requirements for TCRA certification:
- Application Form
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- Test reports issued by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories demonstrating that the ECE complies with the applicable standards.
- Technical document consisting of a general description of the equipment and technical data.
- User or operational manual
- Photographs of equipment
Submission process
- Submission
- Online
An applicant who applies for Type Approval shall use the Online Type Approval System, which is accessible on the Tanzanite platform https://tanzanite.tcra.go.tz/index.htm. The platform is used throughout the certification process, from application submission to certificate issuance and download.
Lead Time of Certification
- Lead time
- 14 working days
The lead time for obtaining a TCRA type approval certificate is a maximum of 14 working days, starting from the date the applicant submits all required documents. This period does not include any delays in payment or sample submission that may be caused by the applicant (if samples are required).
Validity Period
- Validity
- Permanent
Type Approval in Tanzania is granted for an indefinite period, provided that no changes are made to the approved equipment.
Manufacturers or suppliers are required to notify TCRA of any changes that may affect the information recorded in the Type Approval database. Depending on the nature of the modification, TCRA may require additional evaluation or a new Type Approval application.
Changes that do not affect the technical characteristics, regulatory compliance, or information recorded in the Type Approval database may not require a new application.
Label Requirements for Tanzania Type Approval
- Product label
- Required
- Approval mark
- Required
- E-labeling
- Allowed
All equipment that has been type approved and issued a Type Approval Certificate, before being imported and placed in the market, must have a legible label permanently affixed to such equipment.
TCRA Label
The label shall be designed to meet both physical and digital requirements as follows:
- The text on the label shall have an Arial font style with the size of at least 5, and shall guarantee readability under varying lighting conditions.
- The label shall employ either black or white fonts, with the choice determined by the surface on which it is to be presented to ensure that the label is readable under different conditions.
- The e-label shall mirror the same requirement and design principles as physical label adapting the same font style, color and size on various screen sizes, assuring clarity and clear viewing across devices.
- The label will be provided after type approval of a particular equipment, and shall be accessible from the online portal.
XXXXXX/XXX/XXXX are alphanumeric characters drawn from the issued type approval certificate number for the equipment.
Labelling shall be done either by using physical label or e-label (electronic label). Physical labelling shall be implemented using materials such as a sticker, tag, or any other related material that is attached or affixed to an equipment, packaging, surface. An e-label shall be displayed electronically, usually on a screen or a digital or interface.
The label may also be affixed to the packaging and or included in the user manual, although such placement is not obligatory unless, due to constraints related to the product's size or other design characteristics, the equipment itself cannot be labelled directly.
For the case of e-labelling, it is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that such label is not altered.
Alternative Country Names
United Republic of Tanzania, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Tansania, Tanzanie, Tanzanija, Танзания, タンザニア, United Republic of, 탄자니아, TZ
Rules by Technology
Allowed, approval required
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz)
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth Classic
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- NFC
- RFID
- UWB
- Zigbee
- Thread
- Z-Wave
- DECT
- 2G/3G
- 4G LTE
- 5G NR
- NB-IoT
- LTE-M
- LoRa / LoRaWAN
- Sigfox
- Automotive radar (77 GHz)
- Short-range radar (24 / 60 GHz)
- GNSS (GPS)
- Satellite communication
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- PMR / Walkie-talkie
- Amateur radio
- Passive Optical Network (PON)
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
- Coaxial Cable
- ISDN
- Ethernet
- VoIP
- IPv6
- Power Line Carrier
- Microwave Link
- Free Space Optics
- Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
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