Uniglo Financial Monthly Africa Brief 

Staying on top of payroll, immigration and hiring rules across Africa is critical for smooth EOR operations. Here are the biggest developments and what they mean for your workforce planning this week.

1) South Africa extends ZEP & LEP to May 2027

South Africa has officially extended the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) until 31 May 2027. For employers, this offers continuity for affected staff while longer-term pathways are assessed. Ensure HRIS flags the new expiry to prevent accidental lapses and align contract terms with the extended validity.

Why it matters for EOR payroll

• Maintain payroll eligibility and tax withholding with no interruption for ZEP/LEP employees through 2027.
• Update KYC/permit records and diarise renewal checkpoints six and three months before May 2027.

2) Tanzania’s 2025 labour-law overhaul now biting

Tanzania’s Labour Laws (Amendments) Act, No. 4 of 2025 is in force, changing employment contracts, dispute resolution and non-citizen employment rules. If you place expats or contractors via EOR in Tanzania, review contract templates, termination clauses, and work-permit dependencies to remain compliant.

Practical steps

• Re-issue or amend offer letters to reflect updated notice, probation and termination provisions.
• Reconfirm non-citizen employment conditions and permit sequencing with local counsel before onboarding.

3) Nigeria digitizes expatriate processes and tightens compliance

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Interior has rolled out reforms from 1 May 2025: a revamped Expatriate Administration System (EAS), a refreshed Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, and changes to Expatriate Quota management. Expect more data checks, tighter reporting, and potential processing efficiencies—if documentation is clean and consistent.

Payroll & immigration impact

• Align job titles in EQ approvals with payroll and contracts to avoid audit flags.
• Build EAS milestones (application, approval, renewals) into your HR compliance calendar.

4) Kenya adds new work-permit classes and updates rules

Kenya has continued its immigration refresh with amendments through Legal Notice 93 of 2025, building on late-2024 reforms. Expect new and refined permit categories (including options aligned to regional/EAC talent mobility) and evolving guidance on eligibility and documentation.

What to do this week

• Map current and planned hires in Kenya to the most suitable permit class under the new rules.
• Revisit relocation timelines: some permits may have different lead times and evidentiary thresholds than 2024.

5) South Africa’s broader migration & labour policy shifts continue

Beyond permits, South Africa’s National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) and Employment Services Amendment Bill are moving forward, with the state signalling closer management of foreign-national employment. Also in the background: ongoing debate and litigation around employment-equity rules—an environment that calls for meticulous workforce planning and record-keeping.

EOR Playbook: What Uniglo recommends right now

• Pre-hire checks: Before issuing offers in Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, run a quick lane-check on the latest permit class, sequencing, and likely processing time, and bake that into start dates.
• Contract hygiene: Sync job titles, locations, and duties across EQ/permits, employment agreements, and payroll records—especially in Nigeria and Tanzania.
• ZEP/LEP calendars: For South Africa, tag the new May 2027 expiry in your HRIS and plan staggered reviews for large cohorts.
• Kenya permit mapping: Audit your Kenyan headcount to confirm the best-fit permit class and eligibility criteria under the 2025 rules.

Need country-specific guidance?

Uniglo Financial’s immigration and payroll teams can pressure-test your hiring plan against the newest rules, prepare compliant documentation, and run payroll that matches permit conditions and local tax requirements. Share your target roles, start dates and countries, and we’ll propose a compliant onboarding path.

Sources: recent legal alerts and official notices across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, as cited above.