Zuko Komisa

- Tanzania has banned foreigners from owning 15 types of small and medium businesses.
- The new law aims to boost local entrepreneurship and secure economic opportunities for citizens.
- Violators face significant fines, imprisonment, or permit revocation.
The Tanzanian government has enacted a new law, effective immediately, that prohibits foreign nationals from owning and operating small and medium-sized businesses in 15 specific sectors.
Issued through Government Notice No. 487A on 28th July 2025, the directive aims to empower local entrepreneurs and safeguard economic opportunities exclusively for Tanzanian citizens.
Signed by Minister for Industry and Trade Selemani Saidi Jafo, the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, is part of a broader strategy to promote citizen-led economic growth. T
his move addresses growing concerns over foreign dominance in small-scale trade, particularly in bustling commercial areas like Dar es Salaam’s Kariakoo market.
The prohibited sectors now include wholesale and retail trade (with some exceptions), mobile money transfers, repair of mobile phones and electronics, salon businesses (unless tourism-related), cleaning services, small-scale mining, internal postal and parcel delivery, domestic tour guiding, and the operation of radio and television stations.
Also on the list are museums or curio shops, business and real estate brokerage, clearing and forwarding services, on-farm crop purchasing, the operation of gambling machines (outside casinos), and the ownership of micro and small industries.
Foreigners currently operating in these designated areas will be permitted to continue only until their existing licences expire.



