Zanzibar urges private sector investment to drive 2026–2031 development plan
Zanzibar's Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Juma Malik Akil, speaks during a meeting on private sector participation in the implementation of the Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP II) 2026/31 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Unguja's Urban West Region organised by the Zanzibar Planning Commission on Thursday, August 13, 2026. PHOTO | ZULEIKHA FATAWI
Unguja. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) has assured private sector investors seeking opportunities in the archipelago of a conducive investment environment, emphasising that economic growth cannot be driven by the government alone.
The government said its primary role is to formulate policies, laws and regulations that create certainty, comfort and ease for investors, enabling the private sector to play a leading role in economic development.
These remarks were made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by Zanzibar’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Juma Malik Akil, during a meeting on private sector participation in the implementation of the Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP II) 2026/31.
Held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Unguja’s Urban West Region, the meeting was organised by the Zanzibar Planning Commission.
Minister Malik stated that there has been a perception that when the government formulates short- and long-term plans, it excludes the private sector, and they want to eliminate that notion because it is incorrect.
“A country’s economy is built by the private sector; the government has one major task: to formulate policies, laws, and procedures that make it easier for them to invest, and to create regulations that give them comfort in executing the projects they wish to invest in,” he said.
He noted that the old mindset of expecting the government to handle everything was what created hesitation and fear around investing.
Consequently, Dr Malik stated that because the government is ready to collaborate with the private sector, it has resolved to amend laws that cause delays and create bottlenecks in enabling them to conduct business or invest.
The minister added that the aim of these measures is to provide stability and peace of mind.
He reassured investors that past obstacles no longer exist, noting that even the registration process for investors has been streamlined to prevent long delays and make operations easier.
The Zanzibar Planning Commission executive secretary, Dr Josephine Kimaro, stated that ZADEP II is a medium-term development framework building on where ZADEP I (2021–2026) concluded, forming part of the implementation of the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050.
She explained that the main objective of the plan is to boost the economy and individual incomes, develop human capital through skills and employment, and ensure the economy built is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive of ordinary citizens.
“The private sector is ready to participate in raising citizen incomes to ensure that development reaches ordinary people and enhances individual livelihoods,” she said.
She emphasised that the private sector is a key stakeholder, given that the Commission bears the primary responsibility of planning, overseeing, and monitoring implementation to ensure tangible results.
A stakeholder from the Africa Pension Fund (APeF), Mr Mfaume Kimario, advised the RGZ to list and register companies and projects executed in Zanzibar on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and in collective investment schemes.
He noted that such a step would offer Tanzanians and Zanzibaris a full opportunity to participate by purchasing shares and becoming owners or investors in these strategic government projects.
