The Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) is an Autonomous Government Agency governed by the Board of Directors and operating under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. EPZA was established following an amendment of the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Act of 2006, to oversee the implementation of the EPZ program and the Authority began its operation in 2007 with few single factory EPZ units. In 2011 EPZA's responsibilities were expanded to enable EPZA to oversee the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Program, this is following the revision of the EPZ and SEZ laws of 2011, which made EPZ part of the SEZ program.

Other EPZA's Functions include Acquiring land for Investment and owning Special Economic Zones in Tanzania's mainland, Developing EPZ and SEZ infrastructures, Issuing EPZ and SEZ investment licenses, Provision of business services to EPZ, and SEZ investors before and after obtaining licenses, Promoting investment opportunities within Special Economic Zones, Administrative procedures in getting EPZ and SEZ investment incentives. Also, The Authority functions as a One-Stop Service Centre for all prospective and existing investors.

EPZA's objectives: Creating and expanding foreign exchange earnings, attracting transfer of new technology, promoting investment for export-led industrialization, creating employment and developing skilled labor, fostering linkages of the local economy with the international market, Promote processing of local raw materials for export (value addition), Enhancing international Competitiveness.

The Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Act of 2002; was established to promote investment in the manufacturing sector mainly for Export, for the purpose of promoting global competitiveness and ultimately boosting the country’s economy, while

The Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act was established following the enactment of the Special Economic Zones Act of 2006. The program encourages investment in various sectors for domestic and foreign exports, where the EPZ program is part of the SEZ program. The implementation of the SEZ program officially began in 2011 after the EPZ and SEZ laws were amended and the SEZ regulations were enacted.

Under EPZA investment schemes; investors can undertake Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Livestock and Livestock Value Chain, Textile, Forestry, and Wood Processing, Leather Processing, Fish Processing, Mineral Processing, Pharmaceuticals, and Logistics.

EPZA BOARD MEMBERS

1. The Minister responsible for Industries who is the Chairman;
2. The Attorney General;
3. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Finance;
4. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Energy;
5. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Water;
6. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Local Authorities;
7. The Executive Secretary of the Planning Commission;
8. The Commissioner-General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority;
9. The Commissioner of Lands;
10. The Chairman of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation; and
11. The President of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.
12. The Director-General of EPZA is Secretary of the EPZA Board.