Zanzibar: Not just for honeymoons anymore

ZANZIBAR: DID you know Zanzibar is not just about turquoise beaches, romantic sunsets and Instagram influencers pretending they are not sunburnt? This magical island is now also a red-hot investment destination-and we’re not just talking about coconut water stalls.

Zanzibar is quietly transforming into an economic gem and believe it or not, the next big thing in African business could be sitting between your beach sandals and a laptop.

Let’s start with tourism. Yes, it’s already thriving, but think bigger. Eco-resorts, cultural heritage tours, yacht marinas, underwater hotels (we’re serious!)—there’s room to make waves.

If you’re still thinking small, someone’s already eyeing that little plot near Kendwa you forgot you inherited.

Then there’s real estate. With a growing population and a steady influx of both tourists and digital nomads (a.k.a. people who “work” while sipping mojitos), Zanzibar is ripe for smart residential and commercial developments. Imagine modern apartments with spice garden views. Now imagine the rent.

But wait, there’s spice literally. Zanzibar is the Spice Island! Agro-processing of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom is an untapped goldmine.

Why sell raw when you can bottle, brand and export organic Zanzibar spice blends to Paris or Tokyo? And let’s talk Blue Economy.

ALSO READ: Surging tourism boosts Zanzibar economic growth

Think fish farming, seaweed processing, and marine tourism. If you’ve never heard the phrase “ocean is the new oil,” now you have—and Zanzibar is swimming in potential.

Tech and education? The government is opening up Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including for ICT and innovation hubs.

Throw in tax incentives and you’ve got a startup scene that could make Silicon Valley squint. Zanzibar’s leadership isn’t asleep on this.

The government is actively courting investors with open arms and, let’s be honest, a decent sense of humor for people who say, “I just want to build a beach bar.”

So ,whether you’re a Tanzanian in Dodoma or a foreign investor in Dubai, the message is simple: the doors are wide open, the soil is fertile, the sea is generous and the bureaucracy is slowly being kicked off the beach chair.

Invest now, before someone else builds your dream—and rents it back to you during holiday season. Welcome to Zan