Eswatini orders illegal foreign retailers to exit within 12 months

Eswatini's government has implemented new regulations requiring foreign-owned businesses operating without proper authorization to leave the country within a 12-month period. The enforcement action targets unlicensed foreign retailers that have increasingly expanded operations across rural trading zones throughout the kingdom.

The directive reflects growing government concerns about the proliferation of unregulated foreign commercial activity in domestic retail markets. Officials have cited the need to protect local entrepreneurship and ensure compliance with licensing requirements designed to regulate business operations.

The measure comes as international retailers have significantly increased their footprint in Eswatini's rural areas, where licensing oversight has reportedly been inconsistent. The government's move signals a commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and ensuring foreign investors operate through established legal channels.

Businesses found operating illegally after the deadline faces potential penalties and mandatory closure. The government has indicated that foreign enterprises seeking to continue operations must secure appropriate licenses and demonstrate compliance with local commercial regulations during the transition period.