Vintan W. Mbiro

Vintan Willgis Mbiro is a senior Tanzanian advocate, board-level legal advisor, and accredited investor facilitator with over 30 years of experience advising multinational corporations, institutional investors, and public authorities in Tanzania and East Africa. He is recognized for delivering regulatory certainty, tax clarity, and governance assurance in complex investment environments.

He trained at Coopers & Lybrand / PricewaterhouseCoopers and later served for 15 years as Director of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary of Tanzania Cigarette Company Plc, a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco International (JTI), where he led board governance, regulatory engagement, and legal advisory through the company’s listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.

Vintan is a Co-Founder and Lead Partner of Breakthrough Attorneys, a TISEZA-certified Investor Service Provider with direct access to the Government’s One-Stop Facilitation Centre, and an IFLR1000-ranked (Tier 3) firm for complex transactions. He has served on the boards of key public institutions, including the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, TANESCO, and the Tax Revenue Appeals Board.

Areas of Expertise
Tax Governance and Dispute Resolution
Insolvency, Corporate Distress and Restructuring
Transaction Advisory
Regulatory Compliance
Real Estate Consulting
Corporate Secretarial Services
Board Governance
Investment Facilitation

Noteworthy Achievements

Tax Governance & Regulatory Authority: Vintan is regarded as one of Tanzania’s most experienced tax and regulatory advisors. As a registered Tax Consultant and long-serving member of the Tax Revenue Appeals Board, he has participated in the resolution of over 1,500 complex tax disputes, including matters involving multinational enterprises, mining, energy, and regulated industries, customs, excise, VAT, income tax, and transfer pricing, as well as cross-border and treaty-sensitive transactions.

Selected Representative Tax Matters: His work includes major tax appeals for Geita Gold Mining Limited (TZS 80.7 billion exposure), North Mara Gold Mines Limited (VAT refund matters), Bulyanhulu Gold Mine Limited (corporate tax issues), Pan African Energy Tanzania Limited (TZS 626 million adjustments), ASB Tanzania Limited (TZS 909 million customs disputes), Dangote Cement Limited (corporate and indirect tax), Frankfurt Zoological Society (non-profit exemptions), and Pangea Minerals Limited (customs valuation).

Insolvency, Corporate Distress & Restructuring: Vintan has frequently been entrusted by the High Court of Tanzania (Commercial Division) as a liquidator, and by financial institutions as a Receiver and Manager. Recently completed work includes Arusha Blooms Limited Receivership (TZS 35.5 billion recovery portfolio under TIB Development Bank) and Konnectt Wires & Cables Limited receivership (TZS 4.5 billion recovery). He is currently overseeing liquidation proceedings for Kluane Drilling Limited and Access Medical and Dialysis Centre Limited.

Philip Morris International (PMI): Led and assisted Philip Morris International to establish its subsidiary in Tanzania. Led the team which represented PMI in high-level negotiations with various Government Ministries including the Ministry of Finance and Agriculture, and the Parliament, regarding excise taxes on the tobacco industry. Provided legal and business support services in the establishment of a cigarette factory in Morogoro, Tanzania. Currently serves as Corporate Secretary and Legal Advisor of Philip Morris Tanzania Limited (PMTZ).

Gomba Estates Limited: Currently handles loan restructuring with Standard Chartered Bank and the National Security Fund (NSSF) for the development of “Gomba City” in Arusha, a satellite city covering 3,126 acres (phases 1 and 2), including residential, retail, sports, leisure, education and healthcare facilities.

Tanzania Cigarette Company Plc: Served for 15 consecutive years as Director of Legal Affairs, playing a central role in the company’s transformation from a publicly operated enterprise to a privately managed business following its acquisition by Japan Tobacco International. Led all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance functions with regional responsibility across Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique.

Beyond Legal Expertise
Vintan is trusted by boards, sponsors, and senior executives as a long-term legal and governance partner, engaged early in investment decisions and relied upon throughout the investment lifecycle to support disciplined execution, risk management, and durable value creation in Tanzania.