Mwinyi woos Qatar investment for Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has marketed the Isles as an attractive investment destination, highlighting opportunities in tourism, hotels, residential developments and hospitality services.
Dr Mwinyi made the appeal yesterday when he met international businessman and President of Alfardan Companies, Mr Omar Hussain Alfardan, and his delegation in Doha, at the start of his working programme in Qatar.
The meeting focused on investment opportunities available in Zanzibar and Tanzania at large, with Dr Mwinyi urging investors to explore strategic areas that could contribute to economic growth, job creation and expansion of key sectors.
According to the President’s Office Zanzibar, the discussions centred particularly on tourism, hotels and hospitality services, residential and commercial developments, as well as other areas with potential to strengthen economic cooperation between Zanzibar and Qatar.
The Alfardan Group has investments in several sectors, including luxury hospitality, providing an opportunity for discussions on possible investment partnerships in Zanzibar.
Dr Mwinyi’s visit to Qatar comes as Zanzibar continues to promote private-sector participation and attract domestic and international investment as part of efforts to accelerate economic transformation.
The government’s 2026/27 policy direction also places emphasis on increasing investment and strengthening private-sector participation in business and industry.
As part of his programme in Doha, Dr Mwinyi also visited The Pearl Island, a major mixed-use residential, commercial and hospitality development undertaken by United Development Company (UDC).
ALSO READ: Dr Mwinyi jets off for Qatar in a mission to unlock new investment opportunities for Zanzibar
At The Oyster, UDC’s sales and marketing centre, the President was briefed on the planning, development and management of The Pearl Island, as well as investment opportunities available within the project.
The development, built on reclaimed land, covers approximately four million square metres and includes residential, commercial, hospitality, entertainment and other service facilities.
The project has approximately 25,000 residential units and a population of about 52,000 people, according to the briefing given to Dr Mwinyi during his visit.
The visit provided Dr Mwinyi with an opportunity to learn from a large-scale development model combining residential, business and hospitality facilities, areas also being promoted as potential investment opportunities in Zanzibar.
A statement issued by the President’s Office on October 7 said Dr Mwinyi will visit Doha and later Spain on a working visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and opening new development opportunities.
While in Spain, Dr Mwinyi is expected to hold talks with international stakeholders on investment, economic development and strengthening Zanzibar’s cooperation with the private sector.
The tour is aimed at advancing investment and economic opportunities for Zanzibar through engagement with international investors and business leaders.
