The government has launched the construction of a new training facility for public servants at the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in Zanzibar, signalling a renewed focus on skills development as public institutions grapple with rapid technological and governance changes.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), laid the foundation stone for the building at Tunguu on Saturday as part of activities marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
Addressing students and lecturers, Mr Kombo said the effectiveness of public service today depends less on physical infrastructure and more on the relevance of knowledge and skills imparted.
“Development is not just about how beautiful a building looks. What matters most is the content—whether the knowledge we give students prepares them for the world as it is now, not as it was before,” he said.
He warned that without continuous learning, public servants risk being overtaken by fast-moving technological changes, noting that digital tools are reshaping governance, communication and diplomacy.
“In this era of technology, if you do not add new knowledge, you are left behind while others are running,” Mr Kombo said, urging the institute to strengthen the teaching of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including artificial intelligence (AI).
He cited AI as an emerging tool that can generate images and voices that appear real, arguing that public servants must understand such technologies to protect institutions from misinformation and misuse.
On diplomacy and protocol studies, the minister challenged students to move beyond theory and build confidence in engaging international leaders.
“When you stand before world leaders, you must know what you are saying, believe in yourself and understand the global environment you are speaking in,” he said.
Mr Kombo praised the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar under President Hussein Ali Mwinyi for prioritising institutional development, saying the investment reflects a long-term approach to improving public service delivery.
He also pointed to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership at the Union level, describing her as a leader who has elevated Tanzania’s global standing through disciplined use of national resources.
Earlier, IPA Principal Dr Shaaban Mwinchumu Suleiman said the lack of dedicated infrastructure has been a long-standing challenge for the institute.
“For years, we have been forced to rent halls from other institutions to train public servants. This has been costly and inefficient,” he said.
He said the new building would provide a permanent solution, creating a conducive learning environment while reducing operational expenses.
“This project is among the tangible outcomes of the Revolution. It will enable us to train public servants from government and private institutions in a modern and professional setting,” Dr Mwinchumu said.
Mr Kombo also announced that the government would offer higher education opportunities to IPA students and lecturers through the United Republic of Tanzania, starting with five slots for those who have already secured admission to higher learning institutions.
The facility is expected to play a key role in equipping public servants with skills aligned to contemporary governance challenges as Zanzibar and the Union government push for more efficient and responsive public administration.