Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has ordered all ministries handling employment issues to ensure that jobs which can be performed by Tanzanians are not given to foreigners, except where specialized skills are needed and are unavailable locally.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, while opening a meeting with Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and their deputies to discuss employment opportunities at home and abroad, Dr. Mwigulu stressed that Tanzanians must take priority in the workforce.
“Jobs that Tanzanians can do must be left for them. We should not hesitate to enforce the law or allow experts to monitor compliance. Foreigners should only fill gaps where we lack expertise,” he said.
The Prime Minister also condemned landlords who rent properties to a single foreigner who then sublets to multiple others. He warned this practice not only threatens security but also harms business interests.
“Imagine a Tanzanian rents a house to a foreigner for $5,000 a year, and that person brings in 60 others renting at $500 each. The Tanzanian loses out. This is unfair and unsafe,” Dr. Mwigulu explained.
He instructed authorities to ensure housing arrangements follow official procedures, adding that foreigners should cluster in ways that benefit investment, not undermine local business opportunities.
Dr. Mwigulu further urged local experts to enforce employment laws effectively and identify any gaps in regulations for improvement.
He emphasized that Tanzania cannot allow foreigners to take jobs that Tanzanians are capable of performing.
He also called on ministries to carefully scrutinize applications before registering foreign-owned companies, noting that some information submitted may be inaccurate.
“Laws exist to build and grow Tanzanian companies. We must ensure they serve our people first,” he said.