President of Zanzibar Hussein Ali Mwinyi receives a commemorative gift from NMB Bank’s Zanzibar Cluster Manager Naima Said Shaame during the Zanzibar Chief Executives and Board Chairpersons Forum over the weekend. Looking on is NMB Head of Government Business Vicky Bishubo. PHOTO | COURTESY
NMB has trained more than 10,000 entrepreneurs in Zanzibar engaged in seaweed farming, salt production and fishing, as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots economic empowerment
Zanzibar. NMB Bank has said it will continue working with the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government and its institutions to strengthen payment systems, revenue collection, digital A NMB has trained more than 10,000 entrepreneurs in Zanzibar engaged in seaweed farming, salt production and fishing, as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots economic empowerment lutions aimed at improving efficiency in service delivery for citizens and investors.
The bank made the commitment during the Chief Executives and Board Chairpersons’ Meeting for Zanzibar institutions held at the Golden Tulip Airport Hotel in Zanzibar from May 23 to 25, 2026.
Opening the meeting, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, called on leaders of public institutions to implement operational reforms that would improve efficiency, reduce dependence on the Union Government and enable institutions to generate dividends for the government.
Dr Mwinyi said the pace of development would increase further through stronger collaboration with the private sector, citing the performance of commercial banks as an example of institutions that have demonstrated growth, profitability and dividend contributions to government revenue.
“Our institutions should learn from good examples in the private sector, especially private banks that show efficiency, profitability and strong dividend contributions to government,” he said.
He said that improved performance in public institutions was critical for strengthening fiscal sustainability and enhancing service delivery.
Earlier, the NMB Head of Government Business Ms Vicky Bishubo said Zanzibar remains a key partner in the bank’s development agenda, particularly in investment, the blue economy, tourism, trade, technology and financial services.
She said the bank is already working with several Zanzibar institutions, including the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) and the Zanzibar Energy and Water Agency (ZEWA), to improve digital services, investment facilitation and the protection of strategic economic areas.
Ms Bishubo added that NMB has trained more than 10,000 entrepreneurs in Zanzibar engaged in seaweed farming, salt production and fishing as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots economic empowerment and expand access to financial services.
