As highlighted on the background section, Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) was established as a Corporation Sole through the Treasury Registrar Ordinance Cap 418 of 1959 which was revised in 2002 and renamed as The Treasury Registrar (Powers and Functions) Act [CAP .370 R.E.2002] as amended as ammended for time to time. The major ammendments made in 2010 were aimed at strengthening the role of the OTR by vesting Treasury Registrar with more powers and responsibilities to enable it perform its objectives accountably, efficiently and effectively.

Under the above statute the OTR is mandated to hold all investments comprised of the paid up capital of Public and Statutory Corporations or PEs as well as in private investments where the Government owns shares or interests in trust for the President and for the purposes of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.