The Tanzanian government has banned Kenyans and other foreign nationals from engaging in 15 business activities traditionally dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises.
The move is aimed at protecting local entrepreneurs and reshaping the country’s domestic economic policy.
The directive, issued through Government Notice No. 487A dated July 28, 2025, stipulates that licensing authorities shall no longer issue or renew business licenses for foreigners to operate in the specified sectors.
Foreigners currently licensed in any of the affected sectors will only be allowed to operate until their permits expire.
“The business activities specified in the Schedule to this Order shall not be carried out by non-citizens,” said Tanzania’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Selemani Saidi.
“Upon coming into effect of this Order, licensing authorities shall not issue or renew a licence for a non-citizen to carry out any of the business activities prohibited under this Order.”
Tanzania Bans Foreigners from Running Select Businesses
Violators of the order face stiff penalties. Non-citizens found conducting prohibited businesses may be fined no less than 10 million Tanzanian shillings, face up to six months in prison, and risk deportation through visa and permit revocation.
Tanzanian citizens who aid foreigners in evading the ban may be fined five million shillings or jailed for up to three months.
“Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (2), a person commits an offence if in case of a non-citizen, such person carries out any of the business activities specified in the Schedule to this Order and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than ten million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and revocation of visa and resident permit,” the notice read further.
“In case of a Tanzanian citizen, such person assists or aids a non-citizen to carry out any of the business activities prohibited under this Order and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine of five million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.”
Some of the businesses prohibited for foreigners include wholesale and retail trade (excluding supermarkets and specialized product outlets), small-scale mining, mobile money transfers, and ownership of radio and television broadcast stations.
The government also barred foreigners from operating gambling machines—except within casino premises—and from working as tour guides, real estate brokers, and clearing and forwarding agents.
Also Read: NSE Extends Bamburi Shares Suspension Ahead of Takeover By Tanzanian Tycoon
15 Business Ventures Foreigners Can’t Operate in Tanzania
The affected businesses include:
- Wholesale and retail trade (excluding supermarkets and specialised outlets)
- Mobile money transfers
- Mobile phone and electronic device repairs
- Salons (except in hotels or for tourism)
- Cleaning services
- Small-scale mining
- Postal and parcel delivery services
- Local tour guiding
- Operation of radio and TV stations
- Museums and curio shop operations
- Brokerage or agency in business and real estate
- Clearing and forwarding services
- On-farm crop purchasing
- Gambling machine operations (outside casinos)
- Ownership and operation of micro and small industries
Also Read: Mwabili Mwagodi Dumped in a Bush After Missing for 3 Days in Tanzania
The prohibition comes amid complaints from some Tanzanians that foreigners, including Chinese nationals, are doing business meant for locals, such as retail sale of goods at the Kariakoo market in the commercial hub of Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania now joins a growing list of African nations, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia, and Botswana, that are ring-fencing certain business activities for their nationals.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
