A .co.tz or .tz domain gives your Tanzanian business a strong local identity online. These country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) signal trust to local customers, improve your SEO visibility in Tanzania, and demonstrate that your business is committed to serving the Tanzanian market. This guide walks you through the registration process, requirements, and best practices for securing your Tanzanian domain.
Understanding .tz Domain Extensions
Tanzania's domain name space is managed by the Tanzania Network Information Centre (TZ-NIC), which operates under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Several second-level domain extensions are available under the .tz namespace:
.co.tz — The most popular extension for commercial businesses. This is the recommended choice for most Tanzanian companies, shops, and service providers. It is the equivalent of .com for Tanzania.
.or.tz — Reserved for non-profit organizations, NGOs, and associations registered in Tanzania.
.ac.tz — Designated for academic institutions including universities, colleges, and research organizations.
.go.tz — Exclusively for Tanzanian government entities and agencies.
.sc.tz — For primary and secondary schools in Tanzania.
.ne.tz — For network service providers and internet-related organizations.
.tz — The direct country-code domain. Available for general registration without category restrictions. Shorter and increasingly popular for brand-focused domains.
Registration Requirements
For .co.tz Domains
The .co.tz extension is open for registration to individuals and businesses worldwide, though having a Tanzanian presence strengthens your application. You will need to provide:
- Full legal name of the registrant (individual or organization)
- Valid contact email address and phone number
- Physical address (Tanzanian address preferred)
- Business registration certificate (for company registrations)
For .tz Domains
Direct .tz domains follow similar requirements but may have additional availability restrictions. Some premium or generic terms under .tz may be reserved or subject to higher pricing.
How to Register Through SakuraHost
Choosing the Right Domain Name
Your domain name is a critical part of your brand identity. Consider these guidelines when selecting a domain:
Keep it short and memorable. Shorter domains are easier to type, remember, and share. Aim for 15 characters or fewer (excluding the extension).
Make it easy to spell. Avoid numbers, hyphens, and unusual spellings that could confuse visitors. If you have to spell out your domain name when saying it aloud, it is too complex.
Include your brand or keywords. Ideally, your domain should contain your business name or a keyword related to your industry. For example, daressalaamplumber.co.tz is descriptive and SEO-friendly.
Protect your brand. Consider registering multiple extensions (.co.tz, .tz, and even .com) to prevent competitors or cybersquatters from acquiring them. You can redirect the additional domains to your primary website.
Domain Renewal and Expiration
Domain registrations must be renewed before their expiration date. SakuraHost sends renewal reminders at 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day(s) before expiration. You can also enable auto-renewal in your client area to ensure your domain never lapses.
WHOIS Privacy and Domain Ownership
Under ICANN and TZ-NIC regulations, domain registrant information is stored in the WHOIS database and may be publicly accessible. Some extensions support WHOIS privacy (also called ID protection), which replaces your personal information with proxy details. Check with SakuraHost support for current WHOIS privacy availability on .tz domains.
Setting Up Your Domain After Registration
Once your domain is registered, you will want to configure DNS records to point it to your hosting. If you purchased hosting with SakuraHost, this is typically handled automatically. For detailed DNS configuration instructions, see our Complete Guide to DNS Records in the DNS & Domains knowledge base.
Need help choosing or registering a domain? Contact our team at billing.sakurahost.co.tz/submitticket.php or visit sakurahost.co.tz to get started.