Eswatini’s parliament has ruled that foreign-run businesses failing to meet the country’s legal requirements will have 12 months to leave the country. The decision was taken on Tuesday following a parliamentary debate on the enforcement of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act, according to Spanish news agency EFE, citing local media.

The measure emerged in the wake of legislation designed to promote the participation of nationals in economic activity, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported. The parliamentary debate was marked by disagreements over the timelines for implementing the new rules and the consequences of closing commercial establishments owned by foreigners.

During the debate, MP Welcome Dlamini, representing the East Mbabane constituency in the capital, revealed that officials from the Ministry of Commerce had already begun enforcing the legislation by closing businesses operated by Asian nationals. The lawmaker expressed concern over the immediate effects of the measure, including the deterioration of goods stored in affected premises.

“Why can’t we give Asians or foreigners at least two or three years before expelling them, so that emaSwati [as the Swazi population is known] can learn to manage businesses?” Dlamini asked, calling for a longer transition period to allow nationals to gain experience in running commercial operations.

The proposal was opposed by MP Tanele Magagula, representing the Hhohho region, who advocated for stricter and more immediate enforcement of the legislation. “Businesses belonging to foreigners in rural areas should be confiscated immediately,” she said, adding: “Why do we have to wait three years while emaSwati suffer?”

Following the diverging positions, parliament concluded that foreign business owners whose operations are not in compliance with legal requirements should be granted a 12-month deadline. However, according to local media, the text of the law was not formally amended to incorporate this determination, meaning the government may continue to enforce the legislation under its current terms.

Eswatini’s decision comes against a backdrop of rising tensions across southern Africa, particularly in neighbouring South Africa, which has faced since April a wave of xenophobia driven by anti-immigration groups. These movements blame foreigners for economic hardship, deficiencies in public services and high crime rates, and have at times blocked foreign nationals from accessing public health and education services.

According to official government figures, more than 260,000 nationals from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been repatriated to their home countries in recent months as a result of violence linked to these movements.

Meanwhile, restrictions on commercial activity by foreigners have also been introduced in Kenya. On 8 September, Kenyan authorities gave foreign nationals owning small businesses 90 days to regularise their immigration and commercial status. The decision followed an announcement by President William Ruto banning foreigners from retail trade and street vending, with the stated aim of protecting opportunities for the national population.

Eswatini, considered Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has an estimated population of 1.2 million, the majority of whom live in rural areas. According to World Bank data, approximately 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, underscoring the socioeconomic challenges facing the kingdom.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=560754