Togo has a copyright regime under the law Law no. 91-12. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Arts. 20-24 list the exceptions, which include communications such as representation, performance, and broadcasting if they are private, performed exclusively within the family circle and do not give rise to any type of income; if they are conducted free of charge for strictly educational or school purposes or during a religious service in premises reserved for that purpose; among others.
The Revised Bangui Agreement is a regional intellectual property law that is not only a regional convention applicable in all member states but also serves as a national intellectual property law in Benin and each of the other member states. The Revised Bangui Agreement contains provisions on copyright in Annex VII: Chapter IV (Limitations to Economic Rights) and establishes a regime of copyright exceptions. Nevertheless, these exceptions similarly do not conform to the fair use or fair dealing models.

According to Art. 33 of the Electronic Transactions Act, a person who intends to offer cryptographic or certification services shall apply to the regulator. Applicants must disclose a description of the technology to be applied to their services. It is unclear whether this can entail disclosure of trade secrets.

Tanzania does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.

The domain registration requires local presence or representation. It is reported that a business should be registered locally (as a local or foreign business) to get the local domain (co.tz). After registering the company (which may require either local presence or representation), domain registration can then be done online.

The Electronic Transactions Act (Section 28-32) and the Electronic and Postal (Consumer Protection) Regulations 2018 provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions. However, both acts are reported to not offer online complaint resolution provisions, which can lower consumers' confidence to participate in the digital trade. Furthermore, Tanzania recognises e-signatures under several laws, including the Arbitration Act of 2020 (Section 87), the E-government Act of 2019 (Section 27), and the Electronic Transactions Act of 2015 (Section 6).

Tanzania has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Tanzania has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Tanzania has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Pursuant to Sections 93 and 94 of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act, individuals wishing to acquire and use a mobile telephone with either a detachable or embedded SIM card must provide identity verification documentation before purchase.

According to Section 13 of the Online Content Regulations (2020), amending the Electronic and Postal (Online Content) Regulations 2018, internet cafe operators are required to keep a proper service user register and ensure every person using internet service is registered upon showing a recognised identity card; and install surveillance cameras to record and archive activities inside the cafe.

According to the Electronic and Postal (Online Content) Regulations 2018 (last amended in 2020), the application service licensee holders are required to terminate or suspend the subscriber account within two hours after being reported for sharing prohibited content (Section 11.3). While the previous regulation required online platforms to take down alleged illegal content within 12 hours, the current regulation forces license holders — such as the hosts of discussion forums — to remove prohibited content immediately. When a subscriber to a forum uploads alleged illegal content, the license holder must notify the subscriber within two hours. If the subscriber fails to take down content within two hours of getting the notice, the license holder must revoke the subscriber’s access to the platform. In addition, according to Section 9.d, providers are required to use moderating tools to filter prohibited content.

In 2024, Tanzania implemented a series of digital restrictions affecting access to websites and online platforms. In August, the government blocked the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) nationwide following the hacking of the Tanzania Police Force’s official account, which had been used to spread false information. The authorities cited national security concerns and warned that using VPNs to bypass the block could lead to legal penalties. Further actions included the October 2024 suspension of Mwananchi Communications Ltd.’s online platforms for 30 days, following the publication of content deemed threatening to national unity. Additionally, research by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) documented the blocking of numerous websites and applications related to LGBTIQ issues, including Grindr, between January 2023 and January 2024, as well as restricted access to VPN services, Clubhouse, and 4chan.

The Online Content Regulations, which were first introduced in 2018 and later replaced by the Online Content Regulations of 2020, require online content service providers to have an operating license. The license is applicable to providers who cover news, entertainment, educational, and religious content through blogs, social media pages, and similar services. Therefore, on top of traditional media websites, online TV and radio channels, individual bloggers and podcasters are required to have a license.
According to the regulations, a person can only provide content services after obtaining a license from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). There are four categories of online content licenses available for providers of predominant news and current affairs: entertainment content, educational and religious content, and simulcasting. Upon successful application, the licensee is required to pay an initial fee of TZS 1,000,000 (USD 433 approx.) for a news and current affairs license, TZS 500,000 (USD 216 approx.) for an entertainment and education license or religious content license, and TZS 200,000 (USD 87 approx.) for a simulcasting license. The same fees apply for annual payments and license renewal, and the license is valid for three years. If a licensee breaches the terms and conditions of the license, the license may be suspended or revoked by the TCRA. The licensee is notified of the revocation or suspension and the reasons for it and must surrender the license to the TCRA within seven days after service of the revocation or suspension notice. In addition, the failure to adhere to these regulations makes the service provider liable to a fine of not less than five million shillings (equivalent to approx. 2,150 USD) or imprisonment for a term of not less than 12 months or both.
It is reported that content providers used to be able to register and get a single license to offer different types of content, but with the 2020 Regulations, they are required to obtain numerous permits based on the content they offer and can incur exorbitant licensing fees. In addition, it is reported that as a result of this licensing regime, some blogs were closed down.

According to Arts. 33-36 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2015, a person who intends to offer cryptographic or certification services shall apply to the regulator. Applicants must disclose a description of the technology to be applied to their services.