Revolution earns kudos

• Samia urges Tanzanians to uphold its core values
• JK hails great strides attained in past six decades

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Tanzanians to continue embracing the founding values of the Zanzibar Revolution, including building a free society grounded in dignity, peace, solidarity and prosperity, as the nation marks the 62nd anniversary.

“I wish you a happy 62nd anniversary of Zanzibar’s glorious Revolution. For the last 62 years, we have upheld the founding objectives of the Revolution in building a free society with dignity, development, unity, justice, peace and solidarity,” President Samia wrote on her X account (formerly Twitter).

She added, “We all have an obligation to en sure the continuity of these values and to impart them to future generations, as we inherited them from our national pioneers.”

In a related development, former President Jakaya Kikwete said in an interview with TBC 1 yesterday that he was delighted with the significant strides Zanzibar has made over the past six decades, including the modernisation of its towns and urban centres.

He credited this transformation to all presidents of Zanzibar, from the late Abeid Amani Karume to the incumbent, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, who, at different times, have contributed remarkably to the sustainable development of the archipelago.

Dr Kikwete, who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), described President Mwinyi as a visionary and result-oriented leader, working to transform Zanzibar into a modern and progressive island.

“He is a very vigilant person who takes time to think things through. He is calm, with modern thinking, and views Zanzibar in a notably progressive way,” Dr Kikwete said, lauding President Mwinyi’s leadership.

He highlighted key projects such as the new terminal at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and the recent inauguration of Zanzibar’s first flyover, describing them as deliberate efforts by the current government to strengthen the archipelago’s status as Tanzania’s tourism hub.

“Zanzibar looks beautiful. For instance, many hotels are thriving, and airport arrivals are reportedly surpassing those of Dar es Salaam due to the surge in tourist influx,” Dr Kikwete said.

The former president also recalled that during his tenure, Dr Mwinyi served as both Health Minister and Defence Minister, and commended him for his economic vision, particularly the Blue Economy initiative, which aims to diversify Zanzibar’s economy and maximise the use of marine resources.

“Through these efforts, the future of Zanzibar is bright,” Dr Kikwete concluded.

Addressing the nation through the media on the eve of Revolution Day, Dr Mwinyi underscored the enduring legacy of the 1964 Revolution and its transformative impact on Zanzibar.

He said the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution finds the Isles firmly on a path of economic transformation, infrastructure expansion and improved social services, anchored on peace, unity and national cohesion.

“The achievements we have attained are built upon the foundation of peace and unity, made possible through the efforts of leaders across all phases of government and the strong cooperation of our citizens,” he said.

He urged Zanzibari’s to safeguard peace and remain united, saying this would enable the country to make even greater development strides for the benefit of all.

ALSO READ: Samia greets Tanzanians as they celebrate the Zanzibar Revolution

The president said Zanzibar’s achievements since 2020 demonstrate that the ideals of the Revolution are being transformed into tangible benefits through sustained economic growth, expanded investment and improved public services.

Dr Mwinyi said Zanzibar’s economy has rebounded strongly, recording growth of 7.1 per cent in 2024, compared to 1.3 per cent in 2020, driven by improved fiscal management, enhanced revenue collection systems and increased investment.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices rose to 6.57tri/- in 2024 from 4.78tri/- in 2021, while government revenue collection increased from 856bn/- in 2020/2021 to 2.104tri/- in 2024. Inflation has remained stable at around five per cent.

On investment, President Mwinyi said Zanzibar continues to attract investors, with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) registering 1,657 projects worth 20.2 billion US dollars by December 2025, expected to create more than 87,600 jobs.

To further boost investment, the government is strengthening Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Fumba and Micheweni and prioritising Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the blue economy, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, ICT, aviation, maritime transport and agriculture. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects are also set to expand.

Tourism remains a key pillar of the economy, with 816,438 tourists visiting Zanzibar between January and November 2025, an increase of 27 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

Dr Mwinyi said the government is diversifying tourism through sports events, cultural festivals, international conferences, heritage conservation and eco-tourism, while strengthening the broader blue economy, including fisheries, seaweed farming, aquaculture, ports, oil and gas exploration and maritime trade.