By Alfred Zacharia
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) has pledged to strengthen collaboration with mainland Tanzania by promoting the use of locally manufactured products from the Tanzania Engineering and Manufacturing Design Organisation (TEMDO) to boost the adoption of local technologies, stimulate industrial growth, and reduce import costs.
The commitment was made on October 18, 2025, by Dr Said Seif Mzee, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Zanzibar Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development, during a visit to TEMDO headquarters in Arusha. He was accompanied by Dr Mohamed Dhamir Kombo, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock of Zanzibar.
Dr Mzee urged TEMDO to continue producing machines for value addition and packaging to empower entrepreneurs to compete effectively in domestic and regional markets.
He said such innovations would help Tanzania achieve its industrialisation goals in line with the National Development Vision 2025.
Dr Kombo encouraged TEMDO to maintain high-quality production and affordability, saying reliable and accessible machinery would help farmers increase productivity and income through value-added products.
For his part, Dr Hashil Abdallah, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the partnership would enhance industrial efficiency, promote the use of homegrown technologies, and accelerate economic growth.
Prof Lazaro Busagala, Acting Chairperson of the TEMDO Board, said the organisation manufactures more than 16 types of industrial and hospital equipment, including mortuary refrigerators, medical waste incinerators, and hospital beds.
He said these products could benefit Zanzibar’s market, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imports.
TEMDO Director General Prof Fredrick Kahimba added that the organisation is developing new technologies to support the blue economy, including fish drying machines and cold storage systems for fish, meat, and vegetables.
He reaffirmed TEMDO’s commitment to supporting the government’s industrial agenda through affordable and innovative local technologies tailored to national development needs.
