Kenya’s transport stakeholders have strongly opposed Tanzania’s recent move to prohibit foreigners, including Kenyans, from operating small-scale businesses within its borders. The vehicle owners and transporters argue that the policy undermines the spirit of regional integration enshrined in the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and threatens the livelihoods of many East Africans.
In a statement, the stakeholders emphasized that the new restrictions cripple long-standing cross-border activities such as salons, mobile money services, phone repair shops, and tour guiding businesses that have flourished under EAC’s free movement protocols. “Banning Kenyan personnel from such roles is not only unjust but blatantly violates the EAC Treaty, the Common Market Protocol, and World Trade Organisation principles,” the statement read.
The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025, issued by Tanzania’s Industry and Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo on July 28, bars foreigners from 15 key business areas. These include general trade, tourism, media, light industry, and direct farm produce sales. Tanzania argues the ban is aimed at promoting citizen-led economic growth and reducing competition from foreigners in small-scale ventures.
Kenyan stakeholders, however, view the move as a step backwards. “It severely erodes decades of progress toward regional integration,” they said, calling for swift intervention from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the EAC Secretariat. They demand the immediate reversal of the ban, formal dialogue between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments, and legal action for breach of regional and international agreements.
The protestors have also threatened peaceful demonstrations and reciprocal economic sanctions targeting Tanzanian interests in Kenya. “Integration is not a favour it is a right enshrined in law,” they asserted.
Kenyan MP Bernard Shinali, chair of the National Assembly’s Trade and Industry Committee, echoed the frustration, urging Kenya to impose countermeasures. “Tanzanians have gone too far; we should cut links,” he said.
Tanzania’s recent economic measures, including banning foreign currency in local transactions, signal a broader protectionist shift that is stirring regional tension and putting East Africa’s unity to the test.
