- Tanzania has ordered licensed authorities not to issue or grant permits to non -citizens for listed businesses
- Kenya has criticized Tanzania’s actions as fundamental and said they undermine the main goal of regional economic cooperation
- Samia Solution’s leadership banned non -Tanzanian citizens from doing business in 15 key sectors, amid severe penalties for violators
Kenya has strongly opposed the new licensing measures imposed by Tanzania.
Source: Twitter
In a statement to the media on Wednesday, Secretary of the Cabinet of Investment, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, warned that the sanctions imposed by the Tanzanian government could undermine the fundamental goals of economic cooperation within the East African Community.
“All partners have made mandatory promises, and Article 13 of EAC CMP allows EAC citizens to start and run a business, not to treat EAC citizens worse than its citizens. Kenya is calling for these sanctions to be removed and Tanzania will return to the steps set out in the EAC protocol. “ Kinyanjui said.
The minister noted that Kenya could not refuse revenge but emphasized that it was the last option if diplomacy failed.
New Tanzanian rules about obtaining business licenses
The Kenyan government through trees has taken concern about the publication of a business license order (ban on business activities for non -citizens), 2025.
The order prohibits non -Tanzanian citizens from doing business in 15 key sectors, including the ownership and operation of small and small businesses (MSE), with severe penalties for violators.
The order prohibits foreigners from engaging in activities such as general business and retail (excluding supermarkets), telephone transfer, gadget repair, salon, mining mining, postal services, tourist guides, building brokerage, farm purchases, gaming machines and small businesses.
Kenya criticizes Tanzanian business ban
Kenya acknowledged Tanzania’s right to enact legislation on domestic affairs, however, the minister stressed that such measures must be in line with the promise under the EAC joint market protocol (CMP), which ensures that they are not discriminated against and treated for all EAC citizens.
“The steps taken by Tanzania are huge and undermine the main goal of regional economic cooperation under the Joint Market Protocol (CMP),” Kinyanjui said.
The business licensing order, which seems to legalize the EAC’s legitimate investment, will hurt both our economy. It is therefore important, at the heart of the EAC, that cooperation between the two countries should be done to resolve these issues, ” he added.
Source: Facebook
Tanzania is Kenya’s second -largest commercial ally in the EAC after Ugandawith internal transfer of communities worth Ksh 63 billion by 2024.
Kinyanjui expressed hope that this conversation would bring positive results to the EAC’s basic principles.
“We are genuinely interested in transparency, equality and non -discrimination in all our commercial decisions. He said.
What punishment is in Tanzania
Previously TUKO.co.ke reported that Kenyans or other foreigners who would be found doing business in 15 sectors listed by the Tanzanian government will be fined and penalized.
According to an order announced in the Government Gazette, those who violate the law will face a fine of up to KSh 495,000, a six -month prison sentence, and the possibility of canceling the visa.
The Tanzanian government said the move aims to protect Tanzanian citizens from losing business and employment opportunities for foreigners, but economists have warned the sanctions violates the free trade regulations of East Africa and AFCFTA, which could lead to retaliation from affected countries.
The ban has sparked different feelings in Kenya, with many criticizing Tanzania’s decision as a barrier to regional economic cooperation.
Tanzania’s licensing authorities have been ordered to issue or grant permits to non -citizens for the listed businesses.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
