JF Summary
Senior Member
- Jul 3, 2015
- 163
- 109
The Tanzanian government has prohibited foreigners from engaging in at least 15 business activities, citing concerns that non-citizens are displacing locals and worsening unemployment.
The new directive, titled The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, was announced on July 29 by Industry and Trade Minister Selemani Jafo.
Among the banned activities for non-citizens are wholesale and retail trade (excluding supermarkets and specialty stores), small-scale mining, mobile money services, and ownership of radio and TV stations. Foreigners are also barred from operating gambling machines outside of casinos, and from working as tour guides, real estate brokers, and clearing and forwarding agents.
The ban follows growing complaints, particularly in Dar es Salaam's Kariakoo market, that foreigners—especially some Chinese nationals—are engaging in businesses traditionally reserved for Tanzanians.
The government stated: “Once this order takes effect, licensing authorities are prohibited from issuing or renewing licenses for non-citizens to engage in any of the restricted activities.”
With this move, Tanzania joins several other African countries—including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Eswatini—that have implemented similar measures to safeguard business opportunities for their citizens.
The new directive, titled The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, was announced on July 29 by Industry and Trade Minister Selemani Jafo.
Among the banned activities for non-citizens are wholesale and retail trade (excluding supermarkets and specialty stores), small-scale mining, mobile money services, and ownership of radio and TV stations. Foreigners are also barred from operating gambling machines outside of casinos, and from working as tour guides, real estate brokers, and clearing and forwarding agents.
The ban follows growing complaints, particularly in Dar es Salaam's Kariakoo market, that foreigners—especially some Chinese nationals—are engaging in businesses traditionally reserved for Tanzanians.
The government stated: “Once this order takes effect, licensing authorities are prohibited from issuing or renewing licenses for non-citizens to engage in any of the restricted activities.”
With this move, Tanzania joins several other African countries—including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Eswatini—that have implemented similar measures to safeguard business opportunities for their citizens.
