Zanzibar’s President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has announced that his government is prioritising major infrastructure projects to unlock Pemba Island’s economic potential.
Speaking during a meeting with a special delegation from the United Kingdom led by Kate Osamor MP, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to East Africa, President Mwinyi outlined the progress made in the construction of key facilities on the island.
He revealed that road infrastructure development has already reached 70 percent completion, while significant progress is being made on the construction of Pemba's new airport and port.
According to President Mwinyi, these projects are central to the government’s strategy to boost trade, tourism, and investment opportunities on the island.
President Mwinyi also highlighted the challenges facing the seaweed farming sector, which is a vital source of income, particularly for women in Zanzibar.
While production has increased, he said, global market prices remain low, limiting the full benefits for local farmers.
He called on the UK delegation to explore avenues for value addition and support mechanisms that would help improve returns for producers.
In his broader remarks, the president underscored Zanzibar’s ongoing need for private sector investment as the archipelago works towards achieving its long-term economic blueprint, the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050.
UK High Commissioner to Tanzania, Marianne Young, who accompanied the delegation, praised the pace of economic reforms and development taking place in Zanzibar.
She reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and supporting Zanzibar’s growth ambitions.
The meeting reflects growing international interest in Zanzibar’s emerging investment landscape, as the government seeks to position the semi-autonomous archipelago as a competitive hub for trade and tourism in East Africa.