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About ZDFZ

A next-generation digital free zone designed for borderless operations .

Zanzibar established the Digital Free Zone to give entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and networks a modern legal home. It blends progressive governance, resilient infrastructure, and forward-looking regulation so teams can operate globally without losing compliance certainty.

Zanzibar Digital Free Zone

Entity Types

The Zanzibar Digital Free Zone offers a range of legal structures designed for different stages of growth and organizational models.

Digital Residency

The foundational credential for all Zone participants. Digital Residency provides a 1:1 legal identity for individuals, required to open companies, cooperatives, and hold assets within the Zone. It grants access to Zone OS, compliant financial rails, and all Free Zone services.

Zone Companies

Four distinct company structures designed for different scales:

  • ●
    Single Shareholder: One-owner structure ideal for freelancers and solo operators
  • ●
    Startup: Up to 3 shareholders, built for small founding teams
  • ●
    Growth: 4-50 shareholders with structured governance for scaling ventures
  • ●
    Global Business: Unlimited shareholders, the only entity approved to issue Digital Assets

Zone Cooperatives

Member-owned organizations with democratic governance:

  • ●
    Standard: 3-100 members with one-member-one-vote governance, ideal for community services and worker cooperatives
  • ●
    Platinum: 101+ members for large-scale networks and multi-stakeholder platforms

Official Documentation

For complete legal frameworks, regulations, and entity formation requirements, visit the official ZDFZ document repository.

View Official Documents →

Governance

A multi-layered body ensures transparency and agility.

Regulator

OurWorld Zanzibar (OWZ), a Joint Venture & Public Private Partnership, designated by the President to oversee the Zone.

Registrar

Maintains the secure, decentralized registry of all Regulated Entities and Transactions within the Zone OS.

Dispute Resolution

An independent Arbitral Tribunal to adjudicate claims and ensure fair, final, and binding resolution of disputes.

Legal framework

Built on a progressive charter that recognises digital-first operations.

  • ▹ Established under the Zanzibar Investment Act No. 10 of 2023, with authority granted by Presidential Designation.
  • ▹ Governed by the Zanzibar Digital Free Zone Regulation No. 2 of (2025), Regulated Entity Code.
  • ▹ Utilizes the Zone OS and Financial Records Vault for secure, transparent, and compliant operations.

Contact

Connect with the right team for your needs.

Residency team

Application status, onboarding, compliance

Partnerships

Banks, infrastructure, capital partners

General enquiries

Media, delegations, product questions