ZANZIBAR has registered 45 new investment projects worth more than $218m |n the first 100 days of President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s second term.
Labour and Investment minister Shariff Ali Shariff told journalists here yesterday that this achievement signals renewed efforts to attract investors, expand employment opportunities and strengthen labour protections across the islands.
The government is working to improve the investment climate while safeguarding workers’ rights as part of broader efforts to accelerate economic development, he said.
He was presenting a progress report on the implementation of the government’s election manifesto in the first 100 days in office, affirming that the ministry had prioritised the promotion of decent work, sustainable investment and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The newly registered projects bring the total number of investments recorded since the start of the current presidency to 1,351 projects valued at $14.4bn, he stated.
The government had also completed the development of the Zanzibar Investment Electronic Window (ZIEW), a digital platform designed to integrate all investment services into a single system, with expectation that it significantly simplifies procedures, reduce the time it takes to register investment projects.
“This system will streamline investment services and make it easier for investors to complete registration processes through a single digital platform,” he said.
The government is also strengthening infrastructure in special investment zones to make the islands more attractive to investors, he said, noting that assessment is being undertaken to expand the Fumba port area, build road links within the Fumba investment zone to improve accessibility for businesses.
These improvements are expected to boost investor confidence and support the development of new commercial activities, with three new public–private partnership (PPP) agreements covering the management of fire-fighting equipment, the operation of 17 sports facilities and the rehabilitation and management of historic sites already signed.
He also pointed at the establishment of the Zanzibar Investment Company, a wholly state-owned where domestic and foreign investors can participate in development projects through a shareholding model, creating additional avenues for investment.
Similarly, the Labour Commission had conducted inspections in 78 institutions across Unguja and Pemba to ensure employers comply with labour laws and protect workers’ rights.
The inspections found that 95 per cent of institutions surveyed pay at least the minimum wage of 347,000/- while the government is currently reviewing the wage level in line with economic conditions and the rising cost of living.
The ministry had also verified 3,408 employment contracts and facilitated overseas employment for 1,442 Zanzibaris in Gulf countries like Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The ministry is closely monitoring workplace safety and health standards while resolving labour disputes to maintain stable relations between employers and employees, he said.
“Our priority is to ensure fair working conditions while creating more employment opportunities through sustainable investment,” he added.
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