How to Start an Online Store in Tanzania
Everything you need to go from zero to a live online store — with mobile money payments, local delivery, and a .co.tz domain. No coding required.
Why sell online in Tanzania?
Tanzania has 56 million internet users and over 30 million mobile money accounts. E-commerce is growing at 20%+ per year. If you are selling products and you are not online, you are leaving money on the table.
The good news: starting an online store has never been cheaper. With Sakurahost hosting + WooCommerce (free), you can launch a professional store for under Tsh. 200,000/year — payable with mobile money.
7 steps to launch your store
Choose what to sell
Start with products you know. Fashion, electronics, food, handcrafts, and beauty products are the most popular e-commerce categories in Tanzania. Start small — you can expand later.
Register your domain
Get a .co.tz domain for your store (e.g., yourstore.co.tz). This builds trust with Tanzanian customers. Register through Sakurahost for instant activation.
Get hosting with WooCommerce
Sign up for the Sungura plan (Tsh. 159,000/year) — includes free .co.tz domain, free SSL, daily backups, and CDN. Install WooCommerce with 1 click from cPanel.
Add your products
In WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce → Products → Add New. Add product name, description, price (in TZS), photos, and categories. Repeat for each product.
Set up mobile money payments
Install a payment gateway plugin (PesaPal, Flutterwave, or AzamPay). Connect your M-Pesa business number. Customers can now pay with M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa, or bank cards.
Configure shipping
Set up shipping zones: Dar es Salaam (same-day delivery), other cities (2-3 days), nationwide (3-5 days). Add flat rates or free shipping over a certain amount.
Launch and promote
Share your store on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Add your store URL to your WhatsApp Business profile. Ask happy customers for reviews. Consider running Facebook/Instagram ads.
What you need (total cost breakdown)
Total: under Tsh. 200,000/year for a fully functional online store.
Or we build it for you
Do not want to set it up yourself? Our E-Commerce website design package (Tsh. 1,500,000) includes a complete WooCommerce store with product listings, mobile money payment integration, shipping setup, and SEO. Delivered in 15 business days.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an online store in Tanzania?
You can start for under Tsh. 200,000/year: Sungura hosting (Tsh. 159,000/year includes free domain + SSL) plus WooCommerce (free). Add Tsh. 1,500,000 if you want us to build the store for you.
Can I accept M-Pesa on my online store?
Yes. WooCommerce supports M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa, and Selcom through payment gateway plugins like PesaPal, Flutterwave, or AzamPay.
Do I need a business licence to sell online in Tanzania?
For small-scale selling, you can start without a licence. For larger operations, you should register with BRELA and get a TIN from TRA. Consult a local accountant for your specific situation.
Can I sell to customers outside Tanzania?
Yes. WooCommerce supports multiple currencies and international shipping. You can sell to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond from your Tanzania-hosted store.
Start your online store today
Hosting + free domain + free SSL. From Tsh. 159,000/year.