The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and the Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) have stepped up cooperation in environmental governance, focusing on strengthening oversight of major projects through improved impact assessment processes.
The two institutions met on April 27, 2026, during a study visit aimed at sharing experiences on Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), certification procedures and strategies to ensure development aligns with environmental protection.
Speaking during the visit, NEMC Board Chairperson Mwanasha Tumbo said collaboration between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar remains critical, given the cross-cutting nature of environmental issues.
“Mainland and Zanzibar are one. Environmental management requires close cooperation between both sides, especially as it remains a key priority under the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to address climate change and ensure sustainable resource management,” she said.
Her counterpart from ZEMA, Asha Ali Khatib, stressed the need for investors to fully comply with environmental impact assessment requirements from the early stages of project development through to completion.
“It is important that environmental impact assessments are taken seriously at every stage of investment projects. We must also strengthen community participation and adopt modern technologies to enhance effective environmental management,” she said.
During the visit, participants from both institutions including board members and management teams received detailed presentations on ESIA processes, achievements and challenges, creating space for technical discussions on improving implementation.
The delegation also toured key project sites, including the Mpigaduri Port development and the Verde Hotel reclamation project, where they observed how environmental assessments are applied in large-scale investments.
Officials said the engagement builds on earlier agreements reached in October 2025, which committed both sides to enhancing cooperation in environmental conservation and management.
The renewed partnership is expected to improve regulatory efficiency and ensure that major development projects across both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar meet environmental standards while supporting sustainable growth.
