Tensions are escalating in the East African region as transporters and vehicle owners, particularly from Kenya, have issued a stern warning over Tanzania’s recent decision to bar foreign nationals from holding key jobs within its territory.
The move has sparked outcry from regional stakeholders, who view the ban as a direct threat to economic cooperation and the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda.
In a strongly worded statement, the transporters many of whom operate across the Kenya-Tanzania border in sectors like tourism and logistics demanded immediate intervention from the EAC Secretariat and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
They argue that Tanzania’s actions are in violation of regional and international agreements designed to promote the free movement of labour, goods, and services.
“Transporters, especially in the tourism industry, are more than just drivers they are cultural ambassadors who promote intra-African travel,” the statement read.
“Banning Kenyan personnel from such roles is not only unjust but blatantly violates the EAC Treaty, the Common Market Protocol, and WTO principles.”
The transporters outlined several key demands. These include the immediate reversal of the ban on Kenyan nationals working in Tanzania, the initiation of formal diplomatic dialogue between Kenya and Tanzania to find a compromise, a legal review of the ban’s conformity with EAC protocols and international trade laws, and urgent intervention by EALA and the EAC Secretariat to prevent unilateral decisions that destabilize the region’s economic cohesion.
They warned that failure to address their concerns would result in peaceful protests and potential reciprocal economic actions targeting Tanzanian interests in Kenya.
The uproar follows a notice dated July 28, 2025, signed by Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Selemani Saidi Jafo, which formally prohibited non-Tanzanian citizens from engaging in 15 specified business activities.
These include operating kiosks or small shops, mobile phone repairs, operation of gambling machines, running micro and small industries, small-scale mining, among others.
The directive also bars foreign nationals from applying for or renewing business licenses related to these trades.
The ban is seen as a direct contradiction to the EAC’s Common Market Protocol, which guarantees citizens of member states the right to work, live, and operate businesses across borders with minimal restrictions.
“This is a worrying precedent. If one country can take such drastic unilateral action, it undermines everything we’ve worked toward in regional integration,” said a representative from a leading East African tour operators’ association.
Several legal experts and regional analysts have warned that the ban could trigger retaliatory measures and destabilize the fragile economic cooperation in East Africa, especially in the transport, tourism, and retail sectors, where cross-border employment is common.
In response, the transporters have called on the EAC to urgently convene a summit to resolve the issue and prevent further escalation.
They also urged member states to honour their treaty obligations and promote inclusive economic growth through cooperation, not isolationism.
“We remain committed to regional peace and economic integration, but we cannot remain silent as our livelihoods and the spirit of East African unity are undermined,” their statement concluded.
As the diplomatic standoff unfolds, all eyes are now on Arusha, the headquarters of the East African Community, where pressure is mounting for a swift and balanced resolution.
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