1,500-student GEMS International School of Zanzibar project in offing

Zanzibar. Construction of the GEMS International School of Zanzibar at Infinity Hills is expected to begin shortly, marking a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities on the islands through a purpose-planned school designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students.

The planned capacity has been increased from the original 1,100 students following an assessment of anticipated demand, reflecting the importance of providing sufficient educational infrastructure as Zanzibar continues to develop its residential communities and attract investment.

The school will serve as a key educational anchor within Infinity Hills, a major mixed-use development by Infinity Developments in partnership with the Zanzibar Housing Corporation (ZHC).

The wider development is designed to bring together residential accommodation, retail and commercial facilities, education and recreational amenities within the Stone Town area.

Samuel Saba, CEO of Infinity Developments, said the school represented an important investment in Zanzibar’s future, reflecting the company’s ambition to create communities that contribute to the island’s broader social and economic development.

“Education is fundamental to the long-term development of any community. At Infinity Developments, we believe that building for Zanzibar’s future means looking beyond homes and commercial spaces to the institutions that help families thrive and equip the next generation with the foundations for success.

“The decision to increase the planned capacity of GEMS International School of Zanzibar from 1,100 to 1,500 students reflects the demand we anticipate and the importance we attach to making education a central part of Infinity Hills,” Mr Saba said.

He added that integrating education into a master-planned development would help create a more connected environment for families while supporting Zanzibar’s continuing growth.

The establishment of GEMS International School of Zanzibar is expected to contribute to the island’s educational infrastructure while supporting the needs of a growing community.

With a planned capacity of 1,500 students, the school is expected to become a significant educational institution within the wider Stone Town area.

The increase of 400 places from the original plan reflects the anticipated need for additional capacity.

Beyond providing a dedicated learning environment, the school’s development highlights the role educational infrastructure can play in supporting family life, community stability and long-term social and economic progress.

At Infinity Hills, the school forms part of a broader vision that extends beyond housing to incorporate education, commerce and recreation. The master-planned community includes residential apartments, retail spaces, landscaped gardens, a swimming pool, cafés and children’s play areas.

Integrating a school into this environment is intended to strengthen the development’s appeal to families and contribute to a community where residential living and essential amenities are planned together.

As Infinity Hills advances towards implementation, the school represents an important part of the project’s wider contribution to Zanzibar—not only through property development, but also through investment in facilities intended to serve families and future generations.

Further details on the school’s development and implementation will be announced as the project progresses.