- The Tanzanian government issued a directive prohibiting foreigners from engaging in specific business activities within the nation.
- Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order 2025 restricts 15 categories of businesses
- Tanzania is among other African nations that have set aside specific businesses for their own citizens.
Wycliffe Musalia brings more than six years of expertise in financial, corporate, technological, climate, and healthcare journalism, offering valuable perspectives on Kenyan and worldwide economic developments. He is currently employed as a business editor atzaia news.co.ke.
Tanzania is now part of a group of eight other African nations that have set aside specific enterprises for their local population.
On Monday, July 28, the administration of President Samia Suluhu issued a directive prohibiting foreign individuals, including those from Kenya, from engaging in specific business activities within the nation.
What enterprises did Tanzania maintain for indigenous people?
As per the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens Order) 2025, the nation has restricted foreigners from establishing 15 categories of enterprises.
These include mobile money transactions, repair of mobile phones and electronic gadgets, beauty salon services, provided the business is not carried out within a hotel or for tourism activities, as well as home, office, and environmental cleaning, among other services.
Tanzania's Trade Minister, Selemani Jafo, stated that the initiative is intended to boost the economic empowerment of Tanzanian people.
Which other nations have maintained local businesses?
In addition to Tanzania, Burkina Faso enacted a regulation that prohibits foreigners from acquiring agricultural land and mineral rights.
In South Africa, foreign investors seeking public contracts or listings are required to incorporate local ownership.
Here is the list of countries and companies that are restricted to local residents:
| Country | Businesses preserved for locals |
| 1. Tanzania | - 15 different business types (mobile money, phone repair services, retail, salons, tourism, and guiding) |
| 2. Burkina Faso | - Control over agricultural land and mineral land |
| 3. Nigeria | - Light industrial and commercial sectors |
| 4. South Africa | - Local ownership or involvement to secure public contracts and listings |
| 5. Zimbabwe | - Retail and wholesale trade companies, agricultural enterprises, tourism-related businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mining operations |
| 6. Ghana | - Representative, real estate agent, car wash facility, mobile phone store, cleaning company, antique shop, dry cleaner, flower shop, general store, equipment rental service- A second-hand vehicle dealer, internet café, or copy shop, coin laundry, fresh food business, funeral home, hair or beauty salon, and takeaway food establishment |
| 7. Swaziland | - Sectors such as natural seed oil manufacturing and skincare products |
| 8. Zambia | - Production of school uniforms, school furniture, security bars, and protective gear, along with the grinding of sorghum and the creation of cement bricks and fired clay bricks.- The process of baking bread and pastries, manufacturing peanut butter, bottling water, and making traditional crafts and leather goods |
| 9. Botswana | - Tourism driven by local communities and micro-enterprises |
What Kenya stated regarding Tanzania's business licensing regulation
The instruction from Tanzania drew the interest of Kenyan officials, who provided replies according to the current East African Community (EAC) treaty.
The Trade Cabinet Secretary, Lee Kinyanjui, stated that the decision contradicts the fundamental goal of regional economic integration.
From his side, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi stated that President William Ruto is currently engaging in discussions with President Suluhu, and the issue will be addressed through diplomatic channels.