Juba Restricts Foreigners From Small-Scale Retail Trade

What the report says

Juba County authorities in South Sudan have ordered foreign nationals to stop running small-scale retail businesses, saying the sector should be left to South Sudanese citizens. The directive was announced this week by Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado during a public address at Kubri Haboba Market in Gudele Two, according to Nile Post.

Lado said foreigners should not operate small shops or similar micro-enterprises, naming activities such as selling onions and tomatoes, chapati stalls, charcoal trading and some commercial motorcycle services. He argued that these businesses should create opportunities for South Sudanese traders. He also said foreign nationals remain welcome in the country, but should focus on wholesale trade, manufacturing and larger investments that generate jobs.

The announcement drew concern among foreign traders, especially Ugandans with a long commercial presence in South Sudan. Lado later clarified that the statement was not an order for foreigners to leave Juba or South Sudan, and said claims that they had been given seven days to depart were false. He added that a county commissioner does not have the authority to expel foreigners from the country.

Nile Post also reported that South Sudan’s Embassy in Kampala distanced the national government from the remarks, saying the commissioner did not speak for the central government. The episode comes amid broader regional debates over foreign involvement in small businesses and reflects ongoing sensitivity around trade, jobs and immigration in East Africa.