Mwinyi tasks leaders to promote local investment opportunities

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has urged government leaders at all levels to actively promote investment opportunities in their areas and work more closely with the private sector to attract capital and accelerate economic growth.

Dr Mwinyi made the call yesterday when he officially launched Amani Residence, a major residential development project in Kizimkazi, South Unguja Region, as part of activities marking the Kizimkazi Festival 2026.

He said the investment was among the outcomes of the favourable environment the government continued to create to attract both domestic and foreign investors.

Dr Mwinyi who also serves as Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, urged Government leaders to act as ambassadors for investment opportunities in their areas rather than waiting for investors to identify them on their own.

He also called for closer collaboration between government institutions and the private sector to ensure that investment opportunities are transformed into projects that generate benefits for communities, the Government and investors.

“Government leaders in different areas should promote the opportunities available in their respective areas in order to attract investors,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He further urged leaders to continue creating a business-friendly environment and strengthening public-private partnerships, stressing that meaningful development could not be achieved without the participation of various stakeholders.

Dr Mwinyi also called on financial institutions in Zanzibar to continue providing loans and capital to support investment across different sectors. He specifically mentioned CRDB Bank among the institutions that should continue playing an important role in supporting investment and economic development.

Speaking about Amani Residence, Dr Mwinyi said he was impressed by the quality and standard of construction, commending the local investors for taking advantage of Government policies aimed at attracting private capital.

He said the project had been developed to modern and international standards, with facilities and infrastructure designed to meet the needs of residents and visitors, including recreational, entertainment and sports facilities as well as other social amenities.

The President also expressed satisfaction that the needs of people with disabilities had been taken into consideration in the design and construction of the development. “I have entered the houses and I am very satisfied with the standard achieved,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He said the project demonstrated how the private sector could utilise opportunities created by the Government and transform economically promising areas into centres of business and investment.

Kizimkazi set for greater business growth Dr Mwinyi said the launch of Amani Residence coincided with the peak of the Kizimkazi Festival 2026, which the government also intends to use as a platform for promoting investment opportunities in South Unguja Region.

He said the festival was not merely an entertainment event, but also formed part of a broader strategy to market Kizimkazi and Zanzibar as destinations offering diverse economic opportunities.

The President identified residential developments, commercial projects and hotels among areas with significant investment potential, stressing the importance of continuing to position Kizimkazi as a gateway for attracting new capital.

He said the Amani Residence project was expected to stimulate economic activity in the area, create employment opportunities for local residents and generate business for sectors linked to construction, accommodation, transport, food services and other related activities.

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The availability of quality housing and modern amenities, he added, could also increase Kizimkazi’s appeal to visitors and contribute to the growth of the tourism sector. Dr Mwinyi said the Government would continue creating a favourable legal, economic and social environment to enable the private sector to invest across Zanzibar.

He said access to quality and safe housing remained among the government’s priorities, noting that the Zanzibar Housing Corporation was implementing various housing projects in different parts of the country.

However, he stressed that growth in investment and residential construction must be accompanied by adequate basic infrastructure. He cited roads, water, electricity and communication services among the key areas the Government was continuing to improve to match the pace of development and the expansion of urban and residential areas.

The President said the government would continue working with the private sector to ensure that investment projects go hand in hand with improvements in the livelihoods of communities living around the developments.

For his part, Minister for Labour and Investment, Shariff Ali Shariff, said South Unguja Region was experiencing significant growth in investment, with a total of 351 registered projects. He said 206 projects, equivalent to 74 per cent, were in the accommodation, building and hotel sectors.