Blue economy, a vehicle for Z’bar sustainable economy – Mwinyi

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi stated yesterday that his government has selected the blue economy as a vehicle for economic growth and sustainable development in the isles.

He mentioned that the government is implementing this policy with a focus on improving the lives of its people.

He made these remarks while meeting with the Commandant of the National Defense College (NDC), Major General Wilbert Ibuge, who visited the Zanzibar State House with 52 students from 15 different African countries and other government officials.

President Mwinyi expressed that Zanzibar is open to investment in various sectors of the blue economy, such as deep-sea fishing and port infrastructure.

He highlighted that the blue economy encompasses small-scale and deep-sea fishing, aquaculture, seaweed farming, maritime infrastructure, maritime trade, coastal, and marine tourism.

Tourism contributes 30 percent to the national GDP, and the government prioritizes this sector due to its significance.

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President Mwinyi emphasized the importance of fishing in the economy of Zanzibar, providing income and employment to many residents of the isles.

Zanzibar has seen a significant increase in fish catch, with numbers rising from 38,107 tonnes in 2020 to 80,000 tonnes as of December 2023.

President Mwinyi underlined the critical role of fishing in the country, serving as a source of income and employment for many people in the isles.

He also mentioned that seaweed farming employs a large number of women in Zanzibar, producing high-quality seaweeds in Africa.

Seaweed farming provides cash income for many women in local communities in Zanzibar. For many years, the isles have become a primary seaweed producer in Africa,” he noted.

Dr Mwinyi attributes all the achievements to the implementation of policies and strategies for the blue economy.

The Isles leader added that Zanzibar also benefits from ports and that efforts are being made to improve infrastructure and strengthen operations.

He said Zanzibar has been linking with other areas for business through Unguja and Pemba ports, connecting with the ports of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Mombasa, Mozambique, and Comoro for business and other related economic activities.

He added that the government is continuing to improve other ports, mentioning Mangapwani, which is under major construction, Malindi, Mkokotoni, and Fumba as major centers for transportation and distribution of various goods.

Dr Mwinyi added that gas, oil, and transportation are other crucial areas for the development of Zanzibar and that all those areas are being improved through the blue economy policy.

Major General Ibuge said the visit was part of the college’s programs.

He stated that the delegation involves students from Botswana, Burundi, and Ethiopia, as well as others from India, Kenya, Malawi, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.