EU, Zanzibar sign agreements to boost sustainable development
What you need to know:
- The agreements signed align with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on high-quality, sustainable investments that meet the needs of partner countries
Dar es Salaam. The European Union (EU) has further strengthened its partnership with Zanzibar by signing two key agreements aimed at advancing sustainable development, marine conservation, and gender equality.
The agreements were signed in the presence of Zanzibar’s minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Riziki Pembe Juma, managing director for Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Rita Laranjinha and Acting director for Africa at the European Commission, Hans Stausboll, along with senior government officials and development partners.
These agreements reflect the EU’s strategic focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development.
They include enhanced funding for the Bahari Yetu (Our Ocean) Project, a key initiative within the EU’s Team Europe Initiative for the Blue Economy, as well as a renewed commitment to the Gender Transformative Action Programme in Zanzibar.
The first agreement, valued at Sh32 billion (€11 million), centres on marine conservation through the Bahari Yetu Project. Implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this initiative aims to address critical challenges such as protecting marine resources, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and tackling plastic pollution.
The project will also empower local communities by creating sustainable economic opportunities while safeguarding Zanzibar’s rich marine biodiversity.
The second agreement allocates an additional Sh8.8 billion (€3 million) to expand the EU’s Gender Transformative Action Programme, implemented by UN Women and the Zanzibar ministry responsible for Gender.
The programme seeks to eliminate barriers to women’s rights and enhance women’s leadership roles in both public and private sectors.
A new focus will be placed on promoting girls’ education, particularly in tertiary education.
Laranjinha and Stausboll were scheduled to participate in the EU-Government of Tanzania Partnership Dialogue on December 10, furthering the EU’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Tanzania and reinforcing shared priorities.
Laranjinha and Stausboll’s visit to Zanzibar is part of their broader engagement in Tanzania.
Before the signing ceremony, they met with President Mwinyi for a bilateral discussion.
The agreements align with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on high-quality, sustainable investments that meet the needs of partner countries and ensure long-term positive impact.
“The agreements demonstrate the EU’s unwavering commitment to Zanzibar’s long-term development, from fostering sustainable marine practices to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Laranjinha.
“This partnership is a clear example of the EU’s broader mission to deliver tangible long-term benefit for all Zanzibaris, contributing to shared prosperity, sustainability, and social inclusion,” said Mr Stausboll.
