Samia launches projects in Zanzibar, hails investments

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan commended the investment drive in Zanzibar, as the latest data show that the semi-autonomous archipelago has reported 250 projects worth $3.73 billion (Sh9.4 trillion) in two years.

The President also directed the government and regulatory agencies on the islands to continue with measures that seek to stimulate the tourism industry to develop the economy and create jobs.

President Hassan was in Zanzibar, gracing the Kizimkazi Festival celebrations in Unguja South Region.
The festival’s purpose is to promote the culture, attractions, and resources of Kizimkazi and is held every year in August.

“It gives me comfort to see that the tourism sector is growing, and I am living the foundations I built in this sector,” she said.
The head of state also highlighted that the economic vibrancy on the island had also been influenced by the active private sector.

“There is no development without the private sector, and we have been emphasising a lot in our two governments to embrace it. Our principle is that if there is an area where the private sector can invest their cents and bear fruit, they should do so, and we (the government) should deal with the places where the private sector cannot invest their money,” said the President.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (Zipa), Mr Shariff Ali Shariff, said the 250 projects registered during the last two years had created nearly 15,000 jobs.

Now in Zanzibar, we also plan to establish a ‘Silicon Valley’ area where high-tech enterprises will operate,” he said while establishing that Zanzibar had also started talks to establish a motorsport circuit for Formula One races.

Zanzibar’s Minister of State, President’s Office Labour, Economic Affairs, and Investment, Mr Mudrick Soraga, said the government had also improved the business environment in terms of regulatory service delivery.

Through Zipa, he said the government had established a one-stop centre, with investment certificates approved within 24 hours.

Before, issuance of investment certificates took three to six months, and now, due to system upgrades and improvements in service delivery, certificates are given within 24 hours,” said Minister Soraga.

Moreover, during the event, President Hassan and the Zanzibar officials inaugurated a major beachfront Kwanza Resort, a 5-star accommodation in Kizimkazi that was developed by the Egyptian resort chain Sunrise Resorts and Cruises. The Kizimkazi Festival also witnessed the launch of various development projects, funded by various companies, as they showered their support for development in the area.

A number of large banks will be financing various projects in the area. Speaking about NMB Bank’s Sh600 million Tasani Preprimary School in the Tasani Village of Makunduchi, the lender’s CEO, Ms Ruth Zaipuna, said the construction, which falls under the bank’s Corporate Social Investment Projects, was a clear demonstration of the bank’s commitment to supporting the Free Education Policy for primary and secondary schools in the country.

She informed the president that the construction, which will include five classrooms accommodating 200 students at once, will be completed by December of this year and be ready to start receiving pupils in January, 2024.

The Tasani Preprimary School will be the first of its kind in the area, making it the third school in Makunduchi.

“The project, covering an area of 467 square metres, will encompass five classrooms, each accommodating 40 students, the head teacher’s office, the teachers’ office, a kitchen, toilets for teachers, staff, and students, a storeroom, modern clean water and sanitation systems, as well as a sports area.

In response, President Hassan expressed gratitude to NMB Bank for their support in enhancing educational opportunities for children, both in her government and the Zanzibar Revolution. She also pledged to return to Tasani in January next year for the official opening of the school