Your Guide to Drone Regulations, Licensing and Registration in Tanzania

Drones are fast becoming a powerful tool in Tanzania’s growth story—empowering agriculture, wildlife conservation, film-making, logistics, infrastructure development, and education. However, drone operations are tightly regulated to ensure public safety, national security, and responsible innovation.

If you're a drone enthusiast, trainer, researcher, or commercial drone operator in Tanzania, here's everything you need to know about registering your drone, getting licensed, and flying legally.

Who regulates drones in Tanzania

Drone operations in Tanzania are governed by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) under the Civil Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations. The TCAA works alongside other national bodies like:

• The Ministry of Defense and National Service
• The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
• The Tanzania Film Board (for film-related drone use)
• The Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) (for flying in conservation areas)

Checkout the TCAA website here.

In Tanzania, whether or not you need a drone license depends largely on the purpose of your drone operations, the weight of your drone, and the airspace in which you intend to fly. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has established clear guidelines to differentiate between recreational and non-recreational (commercial or institutional) drone use, and licensing is a key requirement for most non-recreational applications.

Recreational Use

If you are a private individual flying a drone purely for personal enjoyment, and your drone weighs less than 7 kilograms, you generally do not need a Remote Pilot License (RPL). Recreational use includes activities such as casual photography, learning to fly, or flying for fun—within your own property or in unrestricted areas. However, even in this category, you must adhere to basic safety rules:

• Keep the drone within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
• Fly below 400 feet (120 meters)
• Avoid restricted zones such as airports, military installations, and national parks
• Do not fly at night

Recreational users are also expected to register their drone with TCAA if it exceeds the minimum threshold for regulation and labeling.

Commercial or Institutional Use

If you are operating a drone for business, research, education, or organizational purposes, then you must hold a valid Remote Pilot License (RPL) issued by the TCAA—regardless of drone weight. This includes:

• Film-making and aerial photography for commercial purposes
• Agricultural drone spraying or mapping
• Surveying and inspection services
• STEM or robotics training programs using drones in schools
• Research data collection or environmental monitoring
• Delivery services using drones
• Any form of drone rental, contract work, or demonstration

In these contexts, the drone operator is considered a professional and is therefore required to demonstrate adequate aeronautical knowledge, operational competence, and awareness of safety regulations.

Foreign Drone Operators ( License + Permits Required)

If you are a foreign national or company intending to fly a drone in Tanzania—whether for commercial, research, or even high-profile recreational filming—you will need to:

• Obtain a TCAA-validated RPL or present an equivalent foreign license for approval
• Register your drone locally, even if it is already registered in your home country
• Apply for an Operating Permit
• Secure security clearance from the Ministry of Defense
• Obtain filming or data collection permits (if applicable)

Foreign operators must comply with all local rules and are typically subject to closer scrutiny due to national security and privacy concerns.

Special Cases: Heavier Drones and Sensitive Locations

Even if you're flying for recreation, if your drone weighs more than 7 kg, or you plan to fly in controlled airspace or near sensitive zones like wildlife reserves, airports, or urban centers, you must apply for special permission and may be required to hold a license.