Due to the nature of the direct selling business model, almost every single company in this industry has faced challenges in new and emerging markets. Direct selling is not very well understood in many countries, and a lack of regulation creates confusion and misunderstanding. However, QNET is not banned in any country.
In 2009, Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance issued a notice banning QNET because our operations were not localised at the time. We opened a dialogue with the government and addressed their concerns, and in 2012, we set up a local company in Rwanda, following which the Ministry of Finance revoked the ban. This company now serves as our East African hub.
In Saudi Arabia, the government issued a ban on direct selling and the entire network marketing industry. QNET was not singled out. However, we were one of the fastest growing direct selling companies in Saudi at one point and had gained significant prominence; this is why media reports had often mentioned QNET when they covered the country’s overall ban on the industry.
