President Samia inaugurates Bawe Hotel, highlights importance of leasing islets in Zanzibar

Unguja. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Tanzanians to better understand the leasing of islets, emphasizing their significant role in Zanzibar's long-standing economic development.

While some citizens have questioned whether these islets are being sold, the president clarified that they are, in fact, leased and play an essential role in the island’s growth.

The remarks came on January 7, 2025, during the inauguration of the Bawe Island by Cocoon Collection, a luxury hotel valued at $40 million, located on Bawe Island in the Mjini Magharibi region.

The hotel marks the first major project to open among the 16 islands leased by the government, and the ceremony was part of celebrations to mark 61 years of the Zanzibar Revolution.

President Samia explained that such developments, including the Bawe Hotel, will place Zanzibar on the global stage and attract both tourists and investors.

“There are some who believe these islets have been sold, but this is not the case. They have been leased, and they are contributing to the country’s development. I call on fellow citizens to educate each other about these islets,” President Samia emphasised.

She acknowledged that while these islands have been part of Zanzibar’s history, they were primarily used by fishermen and leisure seekers in the past. Today, however, they represent an invaluable opportunity for investment and growth.

The president also expressed her satisfaction with the timely completion of the Bawe Hotel, which adheres to the established investment guidelines. She highlighted that such projects are a testament to the ongoing success of Zanzibar's revolution, which fought for the rights of its people.

“The efforts of the revolutionaries, who fought for the rights of our people, have borne fruit. Today, we witness the positive impacts of those struggles,” President Samia said, adding, “We owe our current strength to the work done by our predecessors, and we continue to build on their legacy.”

She also took the opportunity to commend the Zanzibar Investment Authority (ZIPA) for its efforts in fostering a favorable environment for investors.

Meanwhile, President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, issued a stern warning to investors who have leased islands but are yet to start construction.

He announced a three-month ultimatum for the investors to begin development, after which the government will reclaim the islands and lease them to other interested parties.

“We are giving three months to those who have been granted islets. If they do not start development within that time, we will take them back and lease them to others,” Dr Mwinyi said.

In addition, Dr Mwinyi called on the people of Zanzibar to pursue education and acquire the necessary skills to meet the growing demand for workers in the hospitality industry as new hotels continue to be built.

He praised the investor for contributing to local employment, noting that the Bawe Island project has not only created jobs but also helped the local community by offering fish sales at the hotel.

“This is the first hotel project to be inaugurated among the 16 islets leased by the government,” Dr Mwinyi stated.

Zanzibar Investment Authority Executive Director, Saleh Saad Muhamed, revealed that the Bawe Hotel project which cost $42 million is expected to create 400 jobs for local residents.