Geoffrey Mosiria, the Chief Officer for Environment in Nairobi, has pleaded with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu to reconsider the ban prohibiting foreigners from establishing and operating some small and medium-sized businesses in Tanzania.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mosiria noted that the ban, which affects Kenyans, was unfair and raised questions on regional integration, economic inclusivity, and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
“The recent directive by the Tanzanian government to ban foreigners from engaging in small-scale businesses such as hawking on the streets has stirred significant concern,” Mosirias stated.
The ban that was announced on Tuesday, July 29, affected businesses in the mining, tourism, agriculture, environment, and technology sectors.
Businesses affected include mobile money transfers, repair of mobile phones and electronic devices, salon businesses (unless they are conducted in a hotel or for tourism purposes), home, office, and environmental cleanliness, and small-scale mining.
Others include postal and parcel delivery services, tour guiding, establishing and operating radio and TV stations, operating museums and curio shops, broking in businesses and real estate, and clearing and forwarding services.
However, Mosiria in his plea argued that Tanzanians had been accommodated in the country, engaging in the very same businesses that were now being restricted in Tanzania.
“This raises a serious question: where are we expected to take the Kenyans who will be rendered jobless after investing and settling in Tanzania under the assumption of regional cooperation?” he posited.
“This directive appears unfair to Kenyans, who have extended a welcoming hand and allowed Tanzanians to thrive in sectors that even our own citizens compete in,” Mosiria noted.
Consequently, Mosiria proposed a balanced approach in such an affair, where local interests were protected while still promoting fair competition, mutual respect, and regional economic harmony.
Other restrictions were in farming, crop purchasing operations, ownership or operation of gambling machines or devices, except within casinos, and ownership and operation of micro and small industries.
A foreigner who is found conducting these businesses would be liable to a fine of up to Tsh10 million (Ksh502,927) and a prison term not exceeding six months.
Also, any Tanzanian citizen who is found helping foreigners conduct such businesses will be convicted and slapped with a three-month prison sentence, in addition to a fine of Tsh5 million (Ksh251,463).
In response, Kenya asked Tanzania to abolish the ban, which was issued together with new excise duties and an industrial development levy, calling these measures 'discriminatory.'
Through a strongly worded statement, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the regulations will not only hurt Kenya's economy but also that of Tanzania.
