Writer: Sabri Dibaco
Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado has directed foreign nationals operating small-scale retail businesses in the county to stop trading, saying such businesses should be reserved for South Sudanese citizens.
Lado issued the directive on Monday during an inspection visit to Kubri Haboba Market, where he said foreign nationals should not engage in the sale of basic food items, charcoal or operate commercial motorcycle, commonly known as boda-boda, businesses.
“No foreigner shall engage in retail business in Juba County. Someone cannot come from their own country to sell onions, chapati, and tomatoes. What will our women sell? This must stop,” Lado said.
The caretaker commissioner questioned the impact of foreign involvement in small-scale businesses on local employment, particularly among young people.
“A foreigner wants to sell charcoal or operate a motorbike business, commonly known as boda boda, what will our youth do?” he asked.
Lado, however, said foreign nationals would remain welcome to conduct businesses that involve larger-scale commercial activities.
“If you are a foreigner and want to do business, focus on wholesale,” he said.
He encouraged foreign traders to consider establishing companies, engaging in wholesale trade or importing goods rather than competing with South Sudanese in small retail businesses.
Lado also assured foreign traders that those who comply with the directive and operate within the permitted areas of business would receive security from the county authorities.
The directive applies specifically to Juba County. No national government order or specific enforcement timetable was cited in the remarks.
The announcement comes as Juba County authorities move to reorganize commercial activities and improve revenue collection across the county.
During the inspection at Kubri Haboba Market, Lado also highlighted efforts to reorganize the market’s access road and strengthen the collection of land-related revenues.
The restriction on foreign nationals engaging in small-scale retail trade is not entirely new. A similar directive was announced in 2021 when Lado served as mayor of the Juba City Council, targeting the participation of foreign nationals in certain small businesses.
The latest directive has again brought attention to the role of foreign traders in South Sudan’s informal economy, where small businesses provide livelihoods for many residents.
While Lado argues that restricting foreigners from petty trade would create more opportunities for South Sudanese, implementation of the directive will determine how it affects traders, consumers and local businesses in Juba County.
Authorities have not publicly provided details on how the new directive will be enforced or whether specific categories of foreign-owned businesses will be given a transition period.