Uhuru Lifts Visa and Work Permit Requirements for Tanzanian Investors

Tanzanian investors seeking to set up businesses in Kenya will no longer be required to have business visas or work permits.

This was announced by President Kenyatta during a Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum meeting at a Nairobi hotel on Wednesday.

Addressing the forum, Kenyatta welcomed Tanzanian traders to invest in Kenya and announced a raft of incentives, including the lifting of work permits and visa requirements.

“Tanzanians are free to engage in business transactions without visas or work permits provided all laws of the land are adhered to,” he said.

Kenyatta was accompanied by his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Hassan Suluhu, who is on a two-day State visit in Kenya.

The two reassured the business community of their commitment to the removal of all barriers limiting cross-border trade and investments.
 
“The East African Community has opened our borders and has unlocked opportunities for the free movement of goods, services, and products. Trade within our countries has thrived but we must accept it is yet to reach the level we expect.” 

“The prosperity for our two countries hinges on creating a conducive business environment and growing mutually beneficial trade. Kenya and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations going back to our pre-independence days,” Kenyatta added.
 
He further ordered the release of maize held at the Tanzania border within two weeks.

On her part, President Suluhu urged Tanzanian investors to leverage the technological advancements in Kenya.

“There is an opportunity for Tanzania to leverage on Kenya’s technology. I urge Kenyan and Tanzanian investors to establish partnerships. Real development is realized when we develop together. The private sector is key in driving economic growth,” she said.

She added: “Tanzania is highly committed to seeing a vibrant private sector capable of facing the challenges of the global economy through our industrialization drive.”