The ban on Tanzania for foreigners operating small businesses

Tanzania has banned foreign citizens from owning and operating mainly small -scale enterprises, causing concern and a return reaction from neighboring Kenya.

The new directive prohibits them from 15 sectors, including mobile money transfers, guide guide, small -scale yield, buying farm crops, beauty salons, curse shops and radio and television operations.

Trade Minister Selemani Japo explained that foreigners are increasingly involved in the informal sector and areas, better filled with the Tanzanians.

At the local level, this move is generally welcomed against the backdrop of increasing fears that foreigners, including Chinese citizens, are entering the smaller transactions.

Last year, traders in the lively shopping neighborhood of Dar ES Salam began strikes to protest against aggressive taxation and unfair competition by Chinese traders.

“We welcomed this decision because it defends the livelihood of Tanzanie traders,” said the Citizen Association Severine Mushi, Head of the Kariakoo Merry Association.

Violators risk fines, six months in prison and loss of visas and work permits.

Jafo added that he hoped the ban on Monday, would also encourage foreigners to invest in large -scale businesses.

But he is greeted with anger in Kenya, with some claiming to violate agreements on the Eastern African Community (EAC), which guarantee the free movement of people and trade among its eight Member States.

The chairman of the Committee for Trade of the National Assembly Bernard Shillen has warned that this move can cause reciprocal restrictions, Kenya Daily Nation reports.

“There are many Tanzanians who work in our mining sites as well,” the newspaper quoted.

“It is clear that the Tanzanians have gone too far and we need to reduce relationships with them.”

Ships said that Kenya’s parliament would call on the minister of sales minister to shed more light on the matter.

The veteran Keniya hotelier Mohammed Hursy also questioned the relocation of Tanzania to restrict professions for foreigners.

“Sometimes it is important to focus on the bigger picture … protectionism will never help the country to flourish,” he told X.

Many other Kenyans have also expressed concern on social media, describing the course of Tanzania’s policy as a major challenge to regional integration.

“The Tanzanians make all kinds of small businesses in Kenya without obstacles. It is clear that Tanzania has never been serious to make Eac work,” one person posted on X.

Tanzania and Kenya have survived periodically political and economic tensions.

The implementation of tanzania to protective tariffs and prohibitions of imports in the past derives criticism from its regional partners.

In May, Kenya Musali Musali Foreign Minister said that about 250,000 Kenyans live, work or do business in Tanzania, something he noted when he emphasized the need to preserve heart relationships.

He turned to the diplomatic tension about Tanzania’s treatment towards the Kenyans who had gone to Dar Es Salam to watch Testing leader Tundu Lissu leaderS

Several of them were deported, while the famous Kenyan activist Boniface Muangi, along with Ugandian activist Agater Atuhar, disappeared and later reported that he was tortured and sexually abusedS

Tanzania is to hold a general election in October, with the ruling CCM party expected to maintain power.