An innovative technician, tablet in hand, guides a drone as it inspects photovoltaic arrays – a seamless fusion of digital oversight and aerial surveillance driving the next generation of solar asset management.
The Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority (ZURA) has reported an outstanding year of progress and achievement for the Financial Year 2024/2025, highlighting its pivotal role in the management and oversight of the islands’ critical utilities.
The agency’s performance reflects a commitment to ensuring the delivery of reliable, safe, and efficient services in water, electricity, fuel, and gas, as well as strengthening regulatory systems that benefit both the public and private sectors.
Strengthening regulatory frameworks
A major highlight of ZURA’s success has been the completion and implementation of over ten key regulations during the year.
These covered essential service areas such as complaint handling, water distribution, electricity generation, transmission and distribution, household LPG management, fuel supply, and licensing for electrical technicians.
According to ZURA officials, these regulatory tools have been central in enforcing service quality, safety standards, and transparency.
The introduction of electricity tariff-setting regulations, for example, has allowed for more predictable pricing structures while ensuring that service providers adhere to technical and operational requirements.
Similarly, the LPG management regulations provide strict guidelines for handling and distribution of household gas, safeguarding consumers from potential risks.
Fuel-related regulations, including those covering fuel stations, depots, measurement, supply, and marking, have improved oversight in the sector, ensuring that standards are maintained from importation to distribution.
The management of joint fuel importation systems (PBPS) has also become more streamlined, enhancing coordination between various importers and distributors to stabilize supply and reduce price volatility.
Digital Transformation and System Improvements
ZURA’s achievements in regulatory reform have been complemented by significant investments in digital systems. The authority successfully implemented five major platforms, including the ZURA Integrated Regulatory System (ZIRS), the Complaints Management System (CMS), and the Enterprise Regulatory Management System (ERMS), which manages loans, annual leave, and all financial payment requests.
In addition, ZURA integrated government-established systems such as eOffice for correspondence management and eProZ for procurement processes. Officials note that being the first users of these systems has positioned ZURA as a leader in digital governance, improving efficiency, record-keeping, and transparency across all its operations.
A major highlight of ZURA’s success has been the completion and implementation of over ten key regulations during the year.
These systems have not only enhanced internal operations but have also provided the public with easier access to services and complaint resolution mechanisms. The CMS platform, for example, enables consumers to register service complaints digitally, which are then tracked and addressed systematically, ensuring accountability and timely response.
Ensuring Safe and Reliable Water Supply
Water management remained a central focus for ZURA during the year. The authority conducted extensive water quality inspections, testing physiochemical parameters such as electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, and residual chlorine to ensure that the water supplied to households and institutions meets safety standards.
In addition to quality checks, ZURA inspected 167 boreholes across Unguja, verifying their operational integrity and compliance with regulations.
The authority also carried out inspections of water treatment plants in five major project schemes, including Dimani, Maungani, Mfenesini, Kidutani, and Dole. These inspections not only evaluated the effectiveness of water treatment processes but also assessed the adequacy of infrastructure, chemical use, and storage facilities.
Through these efforts, ZURA has helped guarantee that residents across Zanzibar have access to safe and reliable water, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and improving overall public health outcomes.
Overseeing electricity infrastructure and renewable energy
In the electricity sector, ZURA conducted rigorous inspections across 112 electricity stations, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.
One of the most critical infrastructure inspections involved the Ras Kiromoni station, which receives power through two high-voltage transmission lines from the Kunduchi/Tegeta generation stations—Zanzibar 1 (old line) and Zanzibar 2 (new line), carrying 132kV, 45MW, and 100MW respectively.
Additionally, ZURA extended its oversight to renewable energy, conducting solar electricity inspections on Mnemba and Matemwe islands. The inspections evaluated the efficiency of existing solar generation, storage, and distribution systems and provided recommendations for improvements.
These initiatives are part of Zanzibar’s broader strategy to integrate renewable energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and ensure a sustainable energy future for the islands.
Energy and fuel sector performance
ZURA also recorded strong performance in managing fuel and gas imports. For the financial year 2024/2025, the agency exceeded its fuel import targets, bringing in 266.7 million liters against an estimated 260 million liters, achieving 103 percent of the target.
Gas imports similarly increased, rising to 12.05 million kilograms from 10.58 million kilograms the previous year, representing a 14 percent increase and more than doubling the levels recorded in 2020/2021.
These achievements demonstrate not only effective oversight but also the agency’s capacity to stabilize supply, ensure market availability, and safeguard consumers from shortages.
A gas tanker discharging LPG at Mangapwani Multipurpose Port in Zanzibar, day and night, showcases the island’s commitment to enhancing energy access, boosting logistics efficiency and attracting strategic investment.
Contributions to government coffers
ZURA’s efforts have also translated into significant contributions to government revenue. For 2024/2025, the authority remitted a total of Sh10 billion, up from Sh8.4 billion in the previous year, representing a remarkable 119 percent increase.
These funds are vital for supporting government programs and further investment in infrastructure and public services, reinforcing ZURA’s role as a key revenue-generating entity in Zanzibar’s utilities sector.
The road ahead
Through regulatory reforms, digital innovation, and rigorous oversight of critical utilities, ZURA has positioned itself as a model for effective governance and service delivery in Zanzibar.
By enforcing standards, monitoring infrastructure, and ensuring consistent supply of water, electricity, fuel, and gas, the authority has improved the quality of life for residents while fostering investor confidence in the islands’ utility sector.
As Zanzibar continues to develop, the role of ZURA in safeguarding utility services, regulating providers, and promoting innovation will remain critical, ensuring that the islands’ growing population has access to the safe, reliable, and efficient services necessary for social and economic progress.
Mass Commencation Specialist Research & Corporate Communication.
Email: sharaomar1234@gmail.com
