Zanzibar: Not just beaches, but business too

Did you know that Zanzibar is not just a postcard-perfect paradise for honeymooners and coconut selfies, but also one of East Africa’s rising investment gems?

Yes, you heard right. Beneath those turquoise waves and spice-scented breezes lies a land brimming with untapped potential and very polite goats.

Meet Abdul, a local entrepreneur in Stone Town. Ten years ago, he sold spice souvenirs from a wooden stall with more wobble than structure. Today, thanks to an investor partnership and a little faith, Abdul exports organic cloves to Europe, runs a boutique hotel, and still somehow finds time to argue about football like it’s a full-time job.

So, what’s the secret? Zanzibar, beyond its beauty, boasts a strategic location, lying smack in the middle of busy Indian Ocean trade routes. It has a government actively promoting business through its Free Economic Zones, tax incentives that sound almost too generous (but they’re real, we checked), and a youthful, energetic population ready to work and innovate—if only someone gives them the opportunity.

Tourism is thriving, yes, but why stop there? Agribusiness is a gold mine—spices, seaweed, tropical fruits—waiting for tech-savvy farmers and processors. Want to revolutionize eco-tourism? There’s space. How about solar energy or digital services? The sun never sleeps here and the Wi-Fi is trying its best.

And let’s not forget the marine economy. From sustainable fishing to boat-building to seafood exports, the ocean here isn’t just for swimming and Instagram—it’s full of scalable possibilities.

So, dear Tanzanians, let’s not wait for foreign investors to take all the good spots. And dear foreign investors, karibu sana! Zanzibar isn’t just a tropical retreat—it’s your next smart investment, with returns that smell faintly of cinnamon and success. Come for the beaches, stay for the business.

Just remember: in Zanzibar, even your profits might come with a side of mango juice.