Hussein Ali Mwinyi has said the construction of the Mangapwani Integrated Port will accelerate Zanzibar’s economic growth and position the Isles as a major transport and logistics hub for East and Central Africa.
Speaking on March 22, 2026, while laying the foundation stone for the project in North Unguja Region, the Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council said the strategic investment will strengthen maritime infrastructure and enhance trade in the region.
Dr Mwinyi noted that Zanzibar’s economic progress has for years been slowed by several challenges, including the ageing infrastructure at Malindi Port, limited energy supply and high fuel costs.
He said the Mangapwani Integrated Port project has been designed to address these constraints while opening new opportunities for trade, investment and industrial growth.
The new port will have the capacity to accommodate large container vessels, enabling Zanzibar to handle greater cargo volumes and improve regional maritime connectivity. It will also include facilities capable of storing more than six million litres of fuel and a power generation plant expected to produce up to 200 megawatts of electricity.
Dr Mwinyi said the additional energy capacity will help lower fuel costs and improve electricity availability, which is expected to stimulate investment and support economic activities in Zanzibar and neighbouring countries.
The project, valued at $300 million, is expected to be completed in 2028.
During the ceremony, construction blocks for a strategic oil and gas storage facility were officially handed over for implementation through a partnership between One Petroleum and the Zanzibar Ports Corporation.
Fuel depot development blocks were also handed over to Puma Energy, Gapco and Zanzibar Petroleum, which will relocate their petroleum storage infrastructure to Mangapwani as part of the broader port development programme.
Dr Mwinyi assured residents who vacated their land to allow the project to proceed that the government will ensure they receive fair compensation.
He commended them for their cooperation, noting that community support remains essential for the successful implementation of national development projects.
