Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar is exploring plans to establish its own national airline as part of efforts to open up direct international routes and accelerate tourism growth, Minister for Labour and Investment Shariff Ali Shariff has said.
The minister was speaking on Monday April 27, 2026, at a press briefing about the upcoming Zanzibar Investment Summit 2026, which is expected to bring together around 500 participants from Tanzania and abroad.
Mr Shariff said the lack of direct flights remains a major constraint for the tourism sector, forcing many visitors to rely on connecting routes.
“Tourists travelling to Zanzibar are often required to connect flights, which is inconvenient and limits our potential. That is why you mainly see chartered flights coming into Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro,” he said.
He noted that the government is currently in preliminary discussions with potential investors, with the aim of forming a consortium to establish an airline capable of flying tourists directly to Zanzibar.
“For a long time, Zanzibar has needed its own airline to provide direct services. We are now engaging an investor who has shown interest in this project,” he added.
The proposed airline forms part of a broader investment push to diversify the economy and strengthen Zanzibar’s position as a regional tourism hub.
The summit, organised by the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (Zipa) under the Ministry of Labour and Investment, will be held under the theme “Promoting investment diversification for sustainable development in Zanzibar: Shaping Zanzibar’s next growth story.”
According to Mr Shariff, the forum will showcase a range of strategic projects, including infrastructure developments such as railway systems, an information and communication technology (ICT) park and real estate ventures.
“The platform will present bankable projects and expand opportunities for both local and foreign investors. Our goal is to support private sector development, create jobs and generate income for our people,” he said.
Priority areas include high-end tourism investments such as island developments, beach resorts and a convention centre, alongside industrial expansion through the Dunga Industrial Park.
Blue economy initiatives, including deep-sea fishing and aquaculture, are also expected to feature prominently.
Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi is expected to officiate at the summit, which will include site visits, exhibitions, panel discussions, masterclasses and a diaspora forum aimed at strengthening global investment linkages.
Mr Shariff added that preparations are also under way for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with authorities working to ensure that key infrastructure and facilities are in place ahead of the continental tournament.
Zipa executive director Saleh Mohamed said the authority continues to play a central role in promoting investment, noting steady progress in recent years.
He said Zanzibar registered 135 investment projects worth $750 million in 2025 alone.
Efforts are also ongoing under the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority framework to deepen domestic participation in the economy and enhance the role of local investors.
