Sweeping development across all sectors in Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR government has recorded sweeping development across all sectors over a period of five years, successfully implementing the directives and guidelines of the ruling party CCM 2020/2025 election manifesto.

Under the leadership of President Hussein Mwinyi, the eighth phase government has managed to reach every one of the 388 Shehias (wards) of the islands, according to a manifesto progress report presented during the opening day of party’s Extra-ordinary General Congress at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma yesterday.

“The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has successfully implemented the manifesto of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) over a period of five years with great success.

The directives and guidelines of the manifesto have been carried out and in some cases, the set targets have been exceeded,” said CCM Central Committee member and Zanzibar Second Vice-President Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla.

Speaking at the event Mr Abdulla, praised Dr Mwinyi’s leadership, noting that the implementation of the 2020–2025 CCM election manifesto had been delivered with tangible results in every district of the archipelago.

“We are witnessing historic progress across the Isles, from infrastructure to health and education, under the stewardship of President Mwinyi.  This marks a new chapter for Zanzibar’s growth,”

Abdulla told the delegates before the presentation of a video highlighting the government’s achievements over the past five years.

He also thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan and development partners for backing the implementation of the manifesto that continues to change the lives of the people in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar economy has expanded significantly during Mwinyi’s tenure, growing from 5.1 per cent in 2021 to 7.4 per cent in 2024.

The growth has been fuelled by improved business and investment environments, rising tourism numbers and the launch of major development projects.

According to Mr Abdulla, the government’s budget more than tripled from 1.5tri/- in 2021/2022 to 5.18tri/- in current financial year.

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For the past five years, the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) registered 466 projects worth over 6.08 billion US dollars (about 16tri/-), creating more than 24,700 jobs.

Upgraded health services The health sector has seen the completion of ten district hospitals and a regional referral hospital in urban West Region, all staffed with specialists and equipped with modern tools and medication.

A robust digital referral system now links primary care facilities to major hospitals, ensuring smoother access to treatment across Unguja and Pemba.

Advanced diagnostic equipment such as CT scans, MRIs and dialysis machines are in use and every citizen is now within five kilometres of a health facility.

Free education and digital schools The government has maintained free education from pre-primary to secondary level.

It has constructed 37 primary schools and 23 secondary schools, improving examination pass rates.

Form Four performance rose from 66.3 per cent in 2021 to 82 per cent in 2024, while Form Six pass rates reached an impressive 99.9 per cent.

A new digital school information system tracks student and teacher data, while higher education loans have grown from 4,045 beneficiaries in 2021 to 11,495 in 2024.

The education budget has increased from 265bn/- to over 830bn/- in the same period.

Clean water, electricity and infrastructure expansion Access to clean and safe water has reached all 388 Shehias, thanks to major infrastructure upgrades and new water projects.

Water production now meets 88.22 per cent of demand, benefiting both Unguja and Pemba.

Electricity has reached 231 villages, which is 76 per cent of the 305 targeted villages, bringing power to 138,000 new customers.

Over 98 kilometres of high-tension and 73- km of low-tension lines have been installed.

On road development, the government has constructed over 675km of roads, facilitating trade and easing transportation across the islands.

Air and sea transport reforms Mr Abdulla said revenues at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport rose from 12.9bn/- in 2021 to 40.2bn/- by May 2025, a 211 per cent increase.

Passenger traffic has more than doubled, reaching over 2.1 million travellers.

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Upgrades of airport terminals and development of Pemba’s airport are ongoing. Major improvements have also been made to the port network, including the construction of the Mangapwani Oil and Gas Port, upgrades to Mkoani, Wesha and Malindi ports and a new dry port in Maruhubi.

A modern port is also under construction at Shumba Island.

Tourism and Blue Economy on the rise: The Second VP said the government’s tourism promotion campaign highlighted by the globally acclaimed Royal Tour documentary has significantly boosted visitor numbers and revenues.

Restoration of historical sites at Stone Town, Mnazi Mmoja and Shangani has also enhanced the appeal of cultural tourism.

According to Mr Abdulla, strategic investments in the Blue Economy, including seaweed farming, fisheries and oil and gas exploration, have yielded impressive results.

Seaweed production rose by 124 per cent, from 8,785 in 2021 to 19,716 tonnes by May 2025, significantly improving household incomes and food security.

The government has also opened up 15 of 21 islands to investors in the first phase of a strategic marine development plan.

Investment has been completed on Bawe Island, with nine more, including Pamunda, currently under development.

He said the government has also attained significant strides in modern housing and elderly care. New residential housing projects are ongoing and social welfare programmes for the elderly have been expanded.

The universal pension has increased from 20,000/- to 50,000/-, with elderly citizens receiving special ID cards to access free hospital and transport services.

Economic empowerment programmes have supported small businesses, farmers and fishers. Interest-free loans of 3.58bn/- were provided to 38 local investors, creating 438 jobs.

Overall, 233,615 of the targeted 300,000 jobs were created during the five-year period. Judicial infrastructure has also improved over the past five years, enhancing the delivery of justice across the islands.

As Zanzibar prepares for another election cycle, President Mwinyi’s administration enters the final stretch of its term with a strong record of tangible achievements that have touched the lives of citizens in every area of the Isles.