South Sudan orders Kenyans, foreigners to stop selling chapati and operating boda bodas in Juba

Foreign nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi have been ordered to stop operating a range of small-scale businesses in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in a move that could affect thousands of traders and informal business operators.

South Sudanese authorities have moved to restrict foreign nationals from running small retail businesses in Juba, with officials saying such enterprises should primarily be reserved for citizens.

The directive was issued by Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado during a visit to Kuburi Haboba market on Monday, October 5.

Lado said foreigners should no longer operate businesses including chapati stalls, boda boda services and small-scale trading in everyday goods such as tomatoes, onions and charcoal.

He said foreign investors should instead concentrate on wholesale businesses and larger investments capable of creating employment opportunities for South Sudanese citizens.

“The retail business is only for South Sudanese. If you are a foreigner and want to invest, you do wholesale so that our people can buy from you, or you can employ South Sudanese,” Lado said.

The commissioner questioned why foreign nationals should travel to South Sudan to compete with citizens for small business opportunities.

However, authorities did not immediately provide details on how the new restrictions would be enforced, or whether they would apply to every foreign-owned retail business operating in Juba.

Foreign traders given seven days to comply

The directive also introduced new requirements for roadside and open-stall operators.

Lado gave traders seven days to comply with the county’s requirements, warning that structures that fail to meet the required standards could be demolished.

Business operators were instructed to construct concrete stalls, obtain the necessary licences and display their business names on electronic signs.

The county commissioner said authorities would provide security and other services to businesses operating legally and meeting the new requirements.

“We are here to protect lives. We are here to maintain order. We are here for development and service delivery,” Lado said.

“We want this place clean and organised to prevent criminals from taking your things. You want to do business in Juba, you must do it in accordance with the laws of South Sudan.”

Kenyan traders among those potentially affected

The announcement could have particular implications for Kenyan nationals, alongside traders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi, who operate businesses across Juba’s informal and small-scale commercial sector.

Foreign nationals are involved in a range of businesses in the South Sudanese capital, including shops, restaurants, food stalls, transport services and other enterprises.

For traders dependent on small businesses for their livelihoods, the new directive could represent a significant change to how they operate in Juba.

The announcement also comes against the backdrop of growing debate in the region over the role of foreign nationals in small-scale trade.

In September, Kenyan President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreigners engaged in certain forms of small-scale trading in Kenya, including hawking and operating small shops.

The directive prompted questions in some neighbouring East African countries, given the large number of regional traders who conduct business across national borders.

Ruto subsequently clarified that Kenya remained open to foreign investors and workers who comply with the country’s immigration, employment and business laws.

He also warned Kenyans against harassing or attacking foreign nationals.

The developments in Kenya and South Sudan highlight growing pressure in parts of East Africa to reserve certain lower-level commercial opportunities for citizens, while encouraging foreign investors to participate in larger businesses capable of creating jobs and investment.

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