Zanzibar, EU sign deals to boost marine conservation, gender equality

ZANZIBAR: THE European Union (EU) has signed two significant agreements with Zanzibar aiming at promoting sustainable development, marine conservation and gender equality.

The signing of the agreement further strengthens the existing good relationship between the EU and Zanzibar.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Zanzibar’s Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Riziki Pembe Juma, Managing Director for Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Rita Laranjinha and the Acting Director for Africa at the European Commission, Hans Stausboll as well as senior government officials and development partners.

The agreements underscore the EU’s strategic focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development. They include enhanced funding for the ‘Bahari Yetu Project’, which is part of the EU’s Team Europe Initiative for the Blue Economy and a renewed commitment to the Gender transformative action programme in Zanzibar.

The first agreement, valued at 32bn/- focuses on marine conservation through the Bahari Yetu Project. The initiative will be implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to address critical challenges of protecting marine resources, promoting sustainable fishing practices and tackling plastic pollution.

The project is set to empower local communities by creating sustainable economic opportunities while protecting Zanzibar’s rich marine biodiversity.

The second agreement allocates additional 8.8bn/- to expand the EU’s gender transformative action programme in Zanzibar implemented by UN Women and the ministry responsible for Gender to eliminate barriers to women’s rights and enhance women’s leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.

A new focus will be on the promotion of girls’ education, especially in tertiary education.

The EU’s Ms Laranjinha said: “These agreements demonstrate the EU’s unwavering commitment to Zanzibar’s long-term development, from fostering sustainable marine practices to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

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On his part, Mr Stausboll said the partnership is an example of the EU’s broader mission to deliver tangible, long-term benefits for all Zanzibaris, contributing to shared prosperity, sustainability and social inclusion.

The EU officials’ visit to Zanzibar is part of their broader engagement in Tanzania. They met with President Mwinyi for a bilateral discussion before participating in the signing ceremony.

The agreements align with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on high-quality, sustainable investments that meet the needs of partner countries and ensure long-term positive impact.

Today, Ms Laranjinha and Mr Stausboll will participate in the EU-Government of Tanzania Partnership Dialogue, furthering the EU’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Tanzania and strengthening shared priorities.