Foreign traders in South Sudan have been asked to move away from small-scale retail businesses and instead invest in larger enterprises.
Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado said foreigners, including Kenyans, Ugandans, Eritreans and Burundians, should leave businesses such as selling chapati, onions and tomatoes to South Sudanese.
In a video seen by CelebPatrol.ug, Lado argued that allowing foreigners to dominate small businesses was limiting opportunities for local traders, particularly women.
“Somebody should not come from his or her country to come and make chapati, retail kilos of onions and tomatoes. What will our women in South Sudan sell?” Lado said.
He encouraged foreign investors to shift their focus to wholesale trade, manufacturing and other larger-scale ventures.
The remarks come amid growing concerns over competition between foreign traders and South Sudanese operating small businesses.
Lado, however, did not direct the affected foreigners to leave the country. His directive was specifically aimed at their participation in small-scale retail businesses.
The commissioner has previously made similar calls for foreign traders to move into larger investments, including factories and wholesale enterprises.
