A growing number of African countries are restricting foreign nationals from small-scale businesses as governments seek to protect jobs and economic opportunities for citizens while remaining open to larger foreign investments.
Ghana, Tanzania and Botswana have reserved selected businesses for citizens, ranging from petty retail and mobile money services to salons and small-scale manufacturing.
The measures point to an emerging distinction across the continent between foreign investment that brings capital, technology and jobs, and foreign participation in low-capital businesses that provide livelihoods for millions of Africans.
Ghana protects informal retail
In August, the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) announced stronger enforcement of rules reserving informal retail for citizens.
