The Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Selemani Said Jafo, has established a committee involving individuals from the government and the private sector to address the issue of foreign nationals operating as hawkers in Kariakoo. In a statement released on February 02, 2025, the committee has been given thirty days to address the situation.

The committee’s formation follows a directive from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which was issued after a report on the collapse of a building in Kariakoo on November 16, 2024.

“Minister of Trade, you are here; go and look into the issue of foreigners engaging in businesses that are meant for locals. There was a time I was shown a video clip where a foreigner was fighting with a local in Kariakoo— a full-on fight. I asked why they were fighting, and they said, ‘This is a street vendor, and they had a conflict over their business.’ Now, a foreigner can’t become a street vendor. What work will our young people do?” President Samia remarked on January 30, 2025.

Several complaints have been raised by traders in Kariakoo, particularly regarding Chinese business people who have set up small and informal businesses in the area, competing with local traders.

The members of the committee formed by the Minister include:

1. Prof. Edda Tandi Luoga, Head of the College of Business (CBE) – Chairperson
2. Mr. Sempheo Manongi Nyari, Director of Business Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade – Secretary
3. Mr. Francis Marco Maro, Deputy Commissioner of Police – Member
4. Ms. Kigongo Shile, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration – Member
5. Ms. Latifa Khamis Mohamed, Director General, Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) – Member
6. Mr. Gilead John Teri, Executive Director, Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) – Member
7. Mr. Godfrey Nyaisa, Chief Executive Officer, Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) – Member
8. Mr. William E. Erio, Director General, Fair Competition Commission (FCC) – Membe
9. Mr. Ted Frank Silkiluwasha, Commissioner of Technical Services, Domestic Taxes Department, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) – Member
10. Ms. Zubeda Masoud, Assistant Secretary, Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dar es Salaam Region – Member
11. Lilian Denis Francis, Assistant Commissioner – Work Permits, Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Disabled Persons – Member
12. Mr. Elihuruma Mabelya, Director of Dar es Salaam City – Member
13. Mr. Raphael Maganga, Chief Executive Officer, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) – Member
14. Mr. Hamisi Livembe, Chairman of the Tanzania Business Community – Member
15. Mr. Severin Mushi, Chairman of the Kariakoo Business Community – Member
16. Mr. Leonce Bilauri, Assistant Director, Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation – Member