List of African Countries that Have Restricted Foreign Nationals from Running Some Businesses
- The government of Tanzania issued an order barring foreign nationals from conducting certain businesses in the country
- Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens Order) 2025 blocked 15 types of businesses
- Tanzania joined other African countries that have ring-fenced certain businesses for their citizens
Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Tanzania has joined a list of eight other African countries that have ring-fenced certain businesses for their citizens.
Source: Twitter
On Monday, July 28, President Samia Suluhu's administration issued an order barring foreign nationals, including Kenyans, from conducting certain businesses in the country.
Which businesses did Tanzania preserve for locals?
According to the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens Order) 2025, the country blocked foreign nationals from opening 15 types of businesses.
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These are mobile money transfers, repair of mobile phones and electronic devices, salon business, unless the business is conducted in a hotel or for tourism purposes, home, office, and environmental cleanliness, among others.
Tanzania Trade Minister Selemani Jafo said the move was aimed at empowering Tanzanian citizens economically.
Which other countries have preserved businesses for locals?
Apart from Tanzania, Burkina Faso introduced a law that bars foreigners from owning farmland and mineral concessions.
In South Africa, foreign nationals investing in the country should include local ownership to get public contracts or listings.
Below is the list of countries and businesses ring-fenced for locals:
| Country | Businesses preserved for locals |
| 1. Tanzania | - 15 business categories (mobile money, phone repairs, retail, salons, tour, and guiding) |
| 2. Burkina Faso | - Ownership of farmland and mining land |
| 3. Nigeria | - Light manufacturing and retail sectors |
| 4. South Africa | - Local ownership or participation to win public contracts and listings |
| 5. Zimbabwe | - Businesses in the retail and wholesale trade sector, agriculture, tourism, SMEs, and mining |
| 6. Ghana | - Agent, auctioneer, car wash, cell phone shop, cleaning service, curio shop, dry-cleaning depot, florist, general dealer, general hire service- Imported pre-owned motor dealer, internet café, or copy shop, laundromat, fresh produce business, funeral parlour, hair or beauty parlour, and take-away food business |
| 7. Swaziland | - Industries like natural seed oil production and skincare |
| 8. Zambia | - Manufacture of school uniforms, school furniture, burglar bars, and protective clothing, milling of sorghum and the production of cement bricks and baked earth bricks. - Baking of bread and confectionery, peanut butter production, water bottling, and the creation of traditional crafts and leather products |
| 9. Botswana | - Community-based tourism and small-scale enterprises |
Source: Facebook
What Kenya said about Tanzania's business licensing order
The directive by Tanzania caught the attention of Kenyan authorities, who issued responses based on the existing East African Community (EAC) charter.
Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Lee Kinyanjui said the order undermines the core objective of regional economic integration.
On his part, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said President William Ruto is already in talks with President Suluhu and the matter will be solved by diplomatic means.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
