The fishing industry in Zanzibar is recording progress, with the sector reported to generate over 618 billion/ in Tanzanian shillings, which translates into a cumulative revenue of USD 250 million and counting.
Speaking during the 62nd Anniversary of the Isles’ Revolution Government, the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, revealed that the fishing sector in the Indian Ocean waters surrounding the archipelago has jumped by over 110 percent.
As of 2024, Zanzibar industry was pulling from the ocean around 79 tons of fish and other edible marine species, a figure which should be reaching 80 tons as per 2026 estimations and certainly a great stride from the nearly 39 tons that used to be produced in 2020.
“That is an increase of more than 200 percent,” pointed out President Mwinyi while address the residents of Zanzibar at the local stadium in Unguja.
Apart from fish, Zanzibar is also producing seaweeds from the Indian Ocean and the production to that effect has jumped up by over 120 percent, from the previous 8.8 tons per annum in 2020 to nearly 20 tons in 2024 and beyond that in 2026.
Seaweeds also generate an average of 16.5 billion/- in Tanzanian currency as of 2024 and could hit over 20 billion/- within the fiscal year ending in July 2026. This translates into USD 8.01 million.
But the isles are not just dependent on the sea, residents of Zanzibar also engage in agriculture.
At the moment, the government is laying out irrigation systems across the seven farming valleys in Unguja and Pemba isles, covering over 1,325 hectares, dedicated mostly to rice production.
More than 1,577 title deeds for proper land usage on the islands have also been issued.
These have made it possible for the implementation of 399 land leasing agreements which support investments in the Isles.
The islands have also managed to keep inflation under control averaging at just 4.4 which is the lowest in East Africa.