The Juba County Caretaker Commissioner, Kalisto Lado, announced that small‑scale retail operations in the capital must be run exclusively by South Sudanese citizens.

The directive applies to traders from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi, who have been operating numerous small shops, restaurants and food stalls in Juba.

Foreign operators were given a seven‑day compliance window, after which non‑conforming structures could be demolished.

To continue operating legally, businesses must construct concrete stalls, secure the required licences and display their names on electronic signs.

Lado urged foreign investors to shift focus to wholesale or larger‑scale projects that can create employment for South Sudanese workers.

He emphasized that the county will provide security and services to businesses that comply with the new rules, aiming to keep the market area clean and orderly.

The announcement follows Kenya’s September order by President William Ruto to curb foreigners engaged in small‑scale trade, a policy that had drawn regional attention.

Ruto later clarified that Kenya remains open to foreign investors and workers who comply with immigration, employment and business regulations, while warning against harassment of foreigners.