Sema Fonkem 29/07/2025

H.E Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government becomes first government in African history to legally reserve ownership of small businesses for citizens.

The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) order, 2025, signed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Selemani Saidi Jafo on July 25 specifies a list of business ventures that can no longer be carried out by foreign nationals in the country as soon as their current business licenses expire.

The businesses include money transfer agencies, hair salons, operating museum curio shops, repair of electronic devices, clearing and forwarding services amongst many others.

Defaulters of foreign origin may face up to six months imprisonment, visa cancellation and a fine of 10 million Tanzania Shillings while citizens who assist non-compliant visitors to break the law will be liable to a three-month prison sentence or a fine of five million Shillings.

The announcement by government to safeguard small-scale business activities for locals has seen strong support from Tanzania business community and citizens of other African countries. In Kenya, the sentiment is not the same as some traders express their disgust over roadblocks barring them from accessing markets for farm produce.