Dodoma—Coastal communities in Zanzibar’s Unguja and Pemba islands are set to benefit from a 2.7 billion Tanzanian shilling infrastructure resilience project, as the government intensifies its efforts to shield vulnerable regions from the escalating impacts of climate change.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and the Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA), as part of a broader strategy to improve climate adaptation and environmental protection across the United Republic of Tanzania.
Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Khamis Hamza Khamis, confirmed the development in Parliament on Monday.
He was responding to a query from Donge MP Mohammed Jumah Soud, who raised concerns over the level of coordination between NEMC and ZEMA in implementing environmental projects in Zanzibar.
“There is already a cooperative framework in place between NEMC and ZEMA, aimed at enhancing joint efforts to protect our environment and address climate-related challenges,” said Khamis.
Among the key initiatives under the partnership is a project focused on addressing freshwater scarcity a critical issue for many coastal and island communities in Zanzibar.
The project, which awaits approval from the Adaptation Fund, is valued at USD 3.5 million (approximately 9.5 billion TZS) and is expected to be rolled out in both Unguja and Pemba.
Khamis also highlighted the Coastal Infrastructure Resilience Project, another major intervention currently under review by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The project aims to reinforce critical coastal infrastructure, such as roads, seawalls, and drainage systems, to better withstand the effects of sea-level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion.
“The goal is not just to respond to climate threats, but to proactively design and build infrastructure that can endure future challenges,” he noted.
In a forward-looking move, the Deputy Minister revealed that the 2025/26 national budget will include funding to combat seawater intrusion in residential areas an increasingly urgent issue for communities living along the coast.
Seawater intrusion compromises freshwater sources and agricultural land, posing risks to food security, public health, and housing.
“Protecting our coastal zones is no longer optional it is essential for the well-being and sustainability of our communities,” Khamis stated.
The renewed collaboration between NEMC and ZEMA reflects a broader push for integrated environmental governance and equitable development between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
It also enhances Tanzania’s standing in securing international climate financing by demonstrating cohesive, Union-wide strategies.
With climate-related risks mounting, government officials emphasize that resilience planning must go beyond infrastructure to include sustainable resource management, early warning systems, and community education.
For residents of Pemba and other underserved coastal areas, these initiatives offer more than infrastructure they provide hope for a more secure and climate-resilient future.
Source Daily News