President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday launched a water project, a school and a health centre in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, in a move expected to improve access to essential public services for residents.
The projects are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen social infrastructure and address some of the basic service needs facing communities in Zanzibar.
President Samia visited Kizimkazi Health Centre during her brief visit to the area, where she received a symbolic key to an ambulance from Dr Ndoungou Salla Ba, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.
The ambulance is expected to enhance emergency response and patient referral services, particularly for residents requiring treatment at facilities with higher levels of care.
For residents, the investments in water, education and healthcare are significant because they directly affect household welfare and the ability of communities to access essential services closer to home.
The water project is expected to help improve access to reliable water supplies, while the school will expand opportunities for children in Kizimkazi and surrounding areas to access education.
The health centre, meanwhile, is expected to strengthen access to primary healthcare services and reduce the burden on residents who may otherwise have to travel longer distances for medical attention.
The projects also place greater emphasis on ensuring that public investment translates into tangible improvements in people's daily lives, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities.
The launch took place as Kizimkazi hosts the 2026 Kizimkazi Festival and Business Exhibition, an event that brings together cultural, tourism and business activities and highlights the area's potential as a destination for investment and tourism.
For local residents, the key measure of the new projects will be whether they deliver reliable services, are properly maintained and remain accessible to the communities they are intended to serve.
