Tanzania President Samial Suluhu has banned foreigners against operating 15 small businesses in Tanzania. Photo: Samia Suluhu X.
In what appears to be a new looming strain of relations between Tanzania, countries in the East African Community and other countries, Tanzanian government has banned foreigners from running 15 small and medium enterprises in the country.
In a special gazette notice dated July 28, Tanzania Trade Minister Selamani Said Jafo, stated that the government will not renew license for non-citizens to continue with the banned businesses.
In the notice, the business that non-citizens have been barred from operating include; mobile money transfers, electronic repairs, small-scale mining, postal and parcel delivery, tour guiding, establishment and operation of radio and television as well as operation of museum shops.
Other businesses include running real estate, clearing and forwarding services, on-farm crop purchasing operations and home, office or environmental cleaning companies. However, salon has also been banned, unless one conducts it in a hotel or for tourism purposes.
Owning or operation of gambling machines or devices, except within casinos, small scale mining. postal services and parcel delivery within the country, establishment and operation of radio and television as well.
Selling goods on a wholesale and retail basis will also be banned for foreigners. This, however, excludes supermarkets, specialised product outlets and wholesale centers for local producers.
The Ministry cautioned that any Tanzania Citizen found assisting a non-citizen in running any banned business will be liable for conviction to a term limit not exceeding three months, or a fine of Tzsh 5million, an equivalent of KSh 247,922.
Additionally, any foreigner caught running any of the 15 prohibited businesses, will be liable to a fine of not less than Tzsh 10 million (Ksh.495,845), as well as revocation of visa and residence permit.
However, foreigners have been allowed to continue with their businesses until expiry of their licenses, if ones license is valid within the framework of Tanzanian Authority.
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