Zanzibar has been envied for decades for its breathtaking coastlines, its rich history, culture, and its thriving tourism sector. Though these resources have been important in driving our economy, the reality is that Zanzibar’s potential is much more extensive than tourism.
Behind the specter of its natural beauty is a sleeping giant of economic promise, one which—if invested effectively—can turn the island into a full-fledged trading and investment center in East Africa.
The Zanzibar Investment Summit (ZIS) 2025 will be a turning point. Organized by the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), the three-day event slated for May 7th to 10th is designed to showcase Zanzibar’s potential investment opportunities while actively fostering engagement and partnership opportunities across sectors.
The summit is expected to be participated by over 1,000 people and the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of Revolutionary Government Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi will grace the event.
This event will take place in Pemba Island and aims to bring together Government Officials, Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), CEOs, Private sectors, existing and prospective investors, entrepreneurs, development partners and other investment and economic stakeholders.
The theme of ZIS 2025 is Fostering Regional Growth Through Strategic Investment – Unlocking Pemba’s Potential as a Gateway to East Africa. The opening day on 7th May 2025 features a 5km Investment Awareness Walkathon, business exhibitions, community health initiatives, and stakeholder networking, marking a vibrant ceremonial launch.
On Day 2, His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, will officially inaugurate the summit—setting a visionary tone for the days ahead. The opening follows a high-level strategic dialogue, thought-provoking panels on regional economic integration, and productive engagements between investors and government leaders aimed at driving sustainable investment partnerships.
Aside from the conversation, ZIPA will use the summit to launch new digital platforms and regulatory frameworks with the aim of streamlining investment procedures. The move is in line with Zanzibar’s overall effort to increase the ease of doing business, something that has long been raised as a serious deterrent to investors’ success across the region.
Day 3 of the event offers a dynamic blend of business and culture—featuring strategic investor visits to Special Economic Zones and exclusive business meetings. The day concludes with a captivating cultural and heritage tour of Zanzibar, showcasing the island’s unique charm and investment potential through its rich history and vibrant traditions.
Concluding the Zanzibar Investment Summit in grand style on 10th May 2025 in Unguja, the elegant black-tie Gala Dinner, at Verde Hotel, Unguja Island brings together dignitaries, investors, and diplomats for a memorable evening of celebration. The night features prestigious investment awards, diplomatic recognitions, and impactful networking, marking a fitting finale to a summit dedicated to unlocking Zanzibar’s economic potential.
Why Pemba?
Pemba is well poised to welcome high-level events as it offers luxury resorts at clean beaches and eco-lodges capable of accommodating distinguished visitors with enhanced transport ensuring that foreign delegates access the island easily.
Pemba’s stunning landscape and richness of culture also provide a distinctive framework for networking and so it is not just a business destination, but an experience that underpins Zanzibar’s dedication to sustainable and value-added investment.
Moreover, Pemba Island is emerging as Zanzibar’s new investment and economic frontier. With untapped potential as far as the horizon can see, Pemba offers exciting opportunities across a range of sectors, promising to be the ideal destination for strategic investors looking for long-term returns.
The island also has fertile soil and a good climate to support high-value spice production, organic farming, and agribusiness ventures.
The blue economy opportunity, ranging from sustainable fisheries to seafood processing, positions Pemba as a key player in Zanzibar’s long-term economic strategy. Through the attraction of FDI and green-field investments in the export-based industry, Pemba has the potential to avail itself of enhanced job opportunities, technology transfer, and improvement in the skills of local workers.
Tax incentives and SEZs increase Pemba’s magnetism to the investor community. The government’s commitment to upgrade Pemba is supportive of Zanzibar’s Vision 2050 where it is to become a diversified and sustainable economy.
Why ZIS 2025 Matters?
Zanzibar’s economic landscape has been shifting at a rapid pace. As much as its leading industry, tourism, drives its economy, the government has been pushing relentlessly to diversify the economy in industries such as the Blue Economy, agro-processing, property, manufacturing, and digitalization. The investment summit provides the most ideal way to highlight these emerging industries to local and global investors.
But this summit is not solely concerned with Zanzibar—it concerns itself with East Africa (EAC) as well. One of its key aims is to further make the EAC an even greater, single-destination place of investment.
As regional blocs of nations grow more predominant in international business, whether East Africa can position itself as one competitive market will play a determining role in attracting high-ticketed investments.
Second, the geographical advantage of Zanzibar cannot be exaggerated. Situated on strategic Indian Ocean trade corridors, the island is well positioned to serve as a center of trade and investment bridging Africa and the Middle East and Asia.
But to harness this advantage to the fullest, it needs to have the right infrastructure, investment regime, and business environment, issues that will constitute the substantive agenda at ZIS 2025.
The potential economic impact
The ZIS 2025 will bring long-term economic benefits not just to Zanzibar, but to the entire East African region. The most direct expected outcome is increased investment pledges across several sectors.
The visibility created by the summit will also boost local enterprises by availing opportunities for partnerships, knowledge exchange, and capacity development. Entrepreneurs in sectors like agro-processing, technology, and fisheries will be able to connect with investors, access funding, and expand their business.
No lesser is the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs). By bringing together government agencies and private investors, ZIS 2025 aims to accelerate the implementation of major development and infrastructure projects. This is particularly crucial for Zanzibar, which requires enormous investment in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure to power its economic ambitions.
The summit would also boost regional integration within the EAC and amplify cooperation and cross-border investment flows.
ZIS 2025 is our opportunity to take bold steps, attract strategic investments, and provide a brighter tomorrow, not just for Zanzibar, but for the entire region.
Let’s make it count.
“The Time is Now.
The Place is Pemba.
Join the Transformation.”
Please Register Now through www.zis.co.tz
Executive Director
Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA)
