Zanzibar is stepping up its international investment drive, with President Hussein Ali Mwinyi inviting French companies to tap into emerging opportunities across the Isles, particularly in tourism and the fast-growing blue economy.
Speaking at the State House on February 27, 2026, during talks with the French Ambassador to Tanzania, Anne Sophie, Dr. Mwinyi said Zanzibar is ready to receive serious and well-capitalised investors capable of delivering sustainable and high-impact projects.
He noted that the government’s priority is to attract investments that strengthen the local workforce, facilitate skills and technology transfer and raise service standards, especially in the tourism sector, which remains a backbone of Zanzibar’s economy.
The President said the blue economy encompassing fisheries, maritime trade, coastal tourism and marine resources presents vast untapped potential for strategic partnerships.
Dr. Mwinyi pointed to ongoing reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, including policy enhancements and infrastructure expansion. He cited the Mangapwani Integrated Port project as a game-changer that will unlock wider opportunities in shipping, logistics and regional trade once completed.
He also highlighted a deliberate strategy to open up Pemba Island as a centre for sustainable tourism and diversified investment, positioning it as a complementary growth pole to Unguja.
The move, he said, is part of broader efforts to ensure balanced development and long-term economic resilience.
Reaffirming Zanzibar’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and economic cooperation, the President encouraged French investors to visit the Isles and explore the range of opportunities available.
Ambassador Anne Sophie assured Zanzibar of France’s continued support in strengthening key sectors, including tourism, health, education, culture, environmental protection, conservation of Stone Town and blue economy initiatives.
The engagement signals Zanzibar’s growing push to court high-quality foreign direct investment aligned with its sustainable development agenda and ambition to transform the Isles into a competitive investment destination in the Indian Ocean region.
