Annual General Meetings in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: Law and Practice in Tanzania

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pandemic that is currently ravaging theworld, with unprecedented disruptions being witnessed.Many governments have imposed restrictions onmovement and several measures to contain its spread,including social and physical distancing. This has made ithard to hold conventional physical meetings. Companies arestill expected to comply with the provisions of the law andcompany ' s constitution, regarding holding company ' sannual general meetings to transact business therein. Thispaper reviews the provisions of the Tanzania law regardingholding of such meetings and hence the practicable optionsamidst the pandemic. It finds that available options includepostponing the accounting period and hence the date ofAGM, resolutions by circulation, applying to the Registrarto alter mode of conducting AGM. This study establishesthat the viable option is to hold virtual meetings andrecommends that companies review articles toaccommodate this. Tips on holding successful virtualmeetings are given.