Zanzibar is seeking to reduce its dependence on electricity supplied from mainland Tanzania by expanding domestic power generation and investing in renewable energy, President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has said.
Dr Mwinyi said securing a reliable and sustainable electricity supply was a government priority, as the islands seek to meet growing demand and support economic activities.
He made the remarks on October 28, 2026, in Yeosu, South Korea, during talks with officials of WongWang Electric Power Corporation (WG Corporation) on possible cooperation in power generation, storage and distribution.
The discussions signal Zanzibar's efforts to attract technical expertise and investment to address its electricity challenges, although the proposed partnership is still at the assessment stage.
WG Corporation expressed readiness to send experts to Zanzibar to assess the islands' technical requirements and identify areas where energy projects could be developed.
The assessment is expected to help establish the feasibility of potential projects and determine the technical solutions needed to strengthen electricity supply.
For households and businesses, a more reliable power supply would help reduce disruptions to daily activities, while supporting investment in tourism, manufacturing and other productive sectors.
Dr Mwinyi said increasing local electricity generation and strengthening the use of alternative energy sources were central to the government's efforts to secure a lasting solution.
Reducing dependence on mainland electricity would also give Zanzibar greater control over its energy supply as demand continues to grow.
However, the proposed technical assessment will be an important step in determining whether the discussions translate into concrete investments and how much additional generation capacity could be delivered.
The government will need to ensure that any proposed projects are technically viable, financially sustainable and capable of delivering reliable electricity to consumers.
After completing his engagements in Yeosu, Dr Mwinyi is expected to travel to Jeju Island to attend the 27th Island Tourism Policy Forum (ITOP Forum 2026).
The forum will discuss sustainable tourism and strengthen development cooperation among island destinations.
Zanzibar's participation is expected to provide an opportunity to explore partnerships that can support the islands' tourism sector and broader development agenda.