Zanzibar Port efficiency to improve with new investors

Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi said today, Tuesday, October 31, 2023, that the decision to bring in a foreign investor to manage the Malindi Port was timely because of years of inefficiency.

The Zanzibar government officially handed over the management of Malindi Port to a French firm, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), on September 18, 2023, as it anticipates a rise in efficiency and revenue from the facility.

Speaking during a Mwananchi Thought Leadership Forum, President Mwinyi said that for many years the port had been inefficient, with cargo staying for weeks without being offloaded, and when offloaded, they continued to stay for a long time to await the customs process.

“The time has come now to involve the private sector to help make the port thrive. It's true we cannot expect miracles immediately; they have to set up their programmes and deploy new technology before we can start to reap the fruits,” he said.

He stressed that he gets depressed when thinking about the inefficiency of the port, which also affects the economy.

On the matter of inflation, he said it was caused by a number of facts, including foreign and local issues.

"The price of rice in Pakistan increased due to inflation, with India's export ban further pushing up prices. Locally, when rice is imported to Zanzibar, delays at the port, caused by inefficiency, also contribute to the price hike,” he said.

He, however, noted that, despite all the challenges, what motivates him to continue is the thought of success at the end of the tunnel.

"With the two years remaining, we will continue to work hard to ensure we thrive,” he said.