Brela Cancels Licenses of 11 LBL Firms Over Fraud Concerns.

Brela Revokes Licenses of 11 LBL Companies in Tanzania
March 5, 2025

Dar es Salaam – The Business and Licensing Registration Agency (Brela) has officially revoked the licenses of 11 companies under the Leo Beneath London (LBL) group, following complaints about fraudulent activities. This action comes amid the ongoing detention of 38 individuals by the police, who are suspected of involvement in a pyramid scheme orchestrated by the same companies.

The move, announced on February 27, 2025, is a response to widespread concerns that LBL companies were engaging in deceptive practices, including taking people’s money without their consent. Some of the company's leaders have also been arrested for operating without approval from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).

Brela's decision to de-register these companies was triggered by the fact that their activities, while registered as media and advertising businesses, differed significantly from the operations being conducted. This misalignment with their registered business activities violated the stipulations set out during their registration.

Brela Action Justified by Legal Framework

According to Brela’s CEO, Godfrey Nyaisa, the 11 companies were struck off the register under Section 400A of the Companies Act, Cap 212, which permits the regulator to cancel the registration of companies engaging in operations outside their stated objectives.

Nyaisa elaborated, explaining that the companies failed to respond satisfactorily to notices issued between January 2 and January 26, 2025. These notices were part of an attempt to bring the companies into compliance. As a result, Brela moved forward with the revocation process, effective from February 27, 2025.

He emphasized that such actions are in line with the legal requirements, which stipulate that failure to provide adequate explanations or rectify such issues within a given timeframe warrants the cancellation of a company’s registration.

Affected LBL Companies

The following companies were officially removed from the register:

• Mtwara Media Company Limited (No. 181289972)
• LBL Morogoro Media Company Limited (No. 179770873)
• LBL Geita Advertising Media Limited (No. 180439242)
• LBL Mbeya Media Limited (No. 179978326)
• LBL Future Vision Advertising Agency Company Limited (No. 181302259)
• LBL Mbezi Advertising Media Company Limited (No. 180582835)
• LBL Ubungo Media Limited (No. 180960333)
• LBL Mabibo Media Company Limited (No. 181117346)
• LBL Mbagala Media Company Limited (No. 181248874)
• LBL Gongo la Mboto Media Advertising Company Limited (No. 181513438)
• LBL Dar es Salaam Kigamboni Advertising Company Limited (No. 180046992)

These companies, though registered by various individuals, showed slight variations in their names to facilitate their registration in different regions, from November 2024 to February 2025.

A Call to Action for Public Vigilance

Nyaisa addressed the delayed response to the initial complaints, drawing a comparison to the Registration Agency for Births and Deaths (Rita), which issues birth certificates but often leaves citizens unaware of further legal issues. He reiterated that no institutions in Tanzania are authorized to license or approve pyramid schemes, which are illegal by law.

Brela is continuing to monitor other companies that may be operating outside the legal framework and is prepared to take similar actions against those found in violation of Tanzanian law.

He also urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities, including government agencies and the police, to ensure that appropriate legal measures are taken against individuals or companies involved in such fraudulent activities.