Mwinyi urges investors to prioritise local jobs, businesses

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Dr Hussein Mwinyi has urged investors in Zanzibar’s tourism sector to ensure their projects create more jobs and business opportunities for local people while contributing to the country’s economic growth.

Dr Mwinyi made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by Acting Minister for Tourism and Heritage Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga during the inauguration of the Joud by the Sea Hotel in Jambiani, South Unguja.

He said the growing number of investments in Zanzibar reflected increasing investor confidence in the Isles, but stressed that local communities must benefit directly from such projects.

“This is particularly important as tourism continues to grow and remains one of the key drivers of Zanzibar’s economy,” he said.

According to tourism statistics, Zanzibar received 917,167 tourists in 2025, up from 736,755 in 2024, representing a 24.5 per cent increase.

Dr Mwinyi said the growth demonstrated Zanzibar’s rising popularity as an international tourist destination and underscored the need to expand the capacity and quality of accommodation and other services.

He called for continued investment in infrastructure and services to meet growing demand and strengthen the Isles’ competitiveness in the tourism industry.

The President said hotel and tourism investments could create employment, open markets for locally produced goods and provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers, service providers and entrepreneurs.

He cited Joud by the Sea as an example, noting that 85 of the 90 jobs created by the investment had gone to local people

“Of the 90 jobs created through this investment, 85 have gone to local people. This is something to be commended and should be emulated by other investors,” he said.

Dr Mwinyi urged other investors to give priority to Zanzibaris when providing employment and business opportunities, while working closely with communities surrounding their projects.

He also called for high service standards, greater use of locally produced goods and protection of the environment.

The President said the government will continue improving the investment climate and providing infrastructure required to support tourism and other economic activities.

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He identified roads, airports, ports, health services and other public facilities as key areas requiring continued investment, adding that the government would work with the private sector to address challenges affecting investors.

Dr Mwinyi also urged Zanzibar residents to maintain a peaceful, secure and welcoming environment for visitors, saying this would help tourists feel safe and encourage repeat visits.

He congratulated the investors behind Joud by the Sea for choosing Zanzibar, describing the project as an example of growing investment cooperation between the Isles and Arab countries.

He commended the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) and the Ministry of Labour and Investment for facilitating the project and thanked residents for their cooperation.